Duterte leaves for China to attend Belt and Road Forum

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte bids farewell to the send-off party before his flight bound for the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan after capping off a successful official visit to the State of Israel on September 5, 2018. KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte left for China on Wednesday afternoon to attend the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing on April 25-27 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Presidential Spokesperson Salavador Panelo said the President and his delegation left Manila at about 3:35 p.m.

While in Beijing, Duterte, together with more than 35 leaders and heads of international organizations, will discuss areas of mutual concern.

Among these topics are “how to boost connectivity, further strengthen policy synergy and build closer partnerships, and promote green and sustainable development,” a statement from Malacañang reads.

Duterte will meet with President Xi and Premier Li Keqiang to assess key developments in bilateral relations and regional affairs.

He is one of select leaders to meet with President Xi and Premier Li separately and will be honored with a dinner.

The President will also meet with Filipino and Chinese business leaders to determine ways to enhance two-way trade and investment.

Earlier, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs (ASPAC) Meynardo Montealegre said Duterte will be one of the lead speakers at the Leaders’ Roundtable on the forum’s last day on April 27.

He said the main outcome document of the Leaders’ Roundtable is a joint communiqué of the Leaders’ Roundtable of the 2nd Belt and Road Forum.

Upon the President’s return, he will report the developments from his official visit to the People’s Republic of China.

“The President’s participation reaffirms the Philippines’ commitment to work with partners in the region to further enhance regional connectivity and economic integration in order to advance the country’s development agenda and sustain regional growth and development,” the statement read.

It described the Belt and Road Forum as an opportunity for the Philippines “to explore synergies on connectivity initiatives.”

These include projects under the Belt and Road Initiative, and the country’s “Build, Build, Build” and other development programs.

In 2017, Duterte attended the first Belt and Road Forum, also held in Beijing.

Duterte has designated Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea as officer-in-charge while he is away, Panelo said in a message to reporters.

Medialdea will be tasked to ensure the continuity of government service and take care of the day-to-day operations of the Office of the President.

He will oversee the general administration of the Executive Department and if necessary, act for and on behalf of the President — except on matters that the President is required by the Constitution to act in person while the President is out of the country.

All departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the government have been tasked to assist Medialdea in the discharge of his functions.

All acts of Medialdea, for and on behalf of the President, shall also be deemed acts of the President unless disapproved or reprobated by the President.

Malacañang has yet to release a Special Order confirming Medialdea’s designation as OIC.