Need to implement deals signed by Xi, PRRD stressed

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and President Xi Jinping of People’s Republic of China pose for a photo after declaring their joint press statements during the successful expanded bilateral meeting at the Malacañan Palace on November 20, 2018. ALFRED FRIAS/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — The need to fulfill the signed agreements and consensus reached during the visit of President Xi Jinping to Manila last year was emphasized during the courtesy call of Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua to President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

During the meeting in Malacañang on Wednesday, the two discussed the latest developments in the Philippines-China relations and cited “the good momentum” in the trajectory of the two nations’ bilateral ties.

“They emphasized the importance of fulfilling the signed agreements and important consensus reached during the visit of President Xi Jinping to the Philippines and highlighted the pragmatic cooperation of the two countries in areas such as security, trade, and people-to-people exchanges as well as coordination on international and regional issues, in order to bring about more tangible benefits to the two peoples,” the Embassy statement sent on Thursday read.

Zhao said he would coordinate with relevant Philippine agencies in preparation for Duterte’s visit to China ahead of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in April.

Duterte thanked China for the invitation and expressed his keenness to have another meeting with Xi.

Last year, Duterte and 28 heads of state and government leaders attended the first Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing.

Present during Zhao’s courtesy call in Malacañang were Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Enrique Manalo.