MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte said on Monday that he will advance the country’s interests in trade expansion and investments promotions during his visit to Hainan, China to attend the Boao Forum for Asia this week.
In his speech before departing from Davao International Airport, Duterte said he will also highlight government efforts to improve business through “improved peace and order situation, sustained campaign to battle corruption and strengthened policy framework for businesses to thrive”.
Duterte noted that he would also reiterate the Philippine government’s commitment to increase investments in the country, particularly in infrastructure, innovation and interconnectivity.
“I shall meet with business leaders to convince them to transform investment plans into concrete projects,” Duterte said in his speech.
The President, meanwhile, said that he will “certainly look forward to meeting (Chinese) President Xi Jinping”.
Duterte said that he and Xi will discuss the full range of Philippines-China relations in their bilateral meeting.
Duterte also said that the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) dispute may be raised during bilateral talks with Xi Jinping.
“Whether I discuss the South –West Sea, well, it depends. If I think there is a need for me to raise the issue and if we intrude now into the business of exploration and development, we might — I might say my piece also on that matter,” Duterte said.
Duterte stressed that he is going to China to engage in “business” talks and is “not going into war”.
“I am for — I am into the business. I am not going into a war. We can postpone that war 100 years from now,” Duterte said.
The President said that in the meantime, he wanted to acquire resources for the Philippines to “make the people comfortable.”
“At least the youth can study, go to school and money for food will be available and affordable. That’s what I have in mind all the time,” Duterte said in Filipino.
“As friends and sovereign equals, we will review the progress of our efforts and chart ways to ensure prosperity for our nations and region,” Duterte said.
Duterte said that although threats continue to affect nations, including transnational crime, terrorism and violent extremism, and unresolved disputes, he said the Philippine government will do its part as a responsible nation to address these threats to the region’s collective security.
After the Boao Forum, Duterte said he will proceed to Hong Kong to meet overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) there to report to them the country’s recent developments.
“I welcome the opportunity to meet our kababayans, report to them the developments at home and listen to their concerns and also their hopes,” Duterte said.
In closing, he said that he will give a full report about his visit when he returns to the Philippines on April 12.