After US president Donald Trump, China’s Xi Jinping calls Duterte

President Duterte has been talking to high-profile people on the phone these days.

Days after receiving a call from United States President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping also called up the President on Wednesday, according to Malacañang.

The palace released to the media photos of Mr. Duterte taking the call.

The caption said Mr. Duterte thanked China for inviting him to tour the Chinese Navy’s flagship destroyer Chang Chun which had docked in Davao for a goodwill visit.

Since coming into office, Mr. Duterte has been easing tensions and seeking closer ties with China.

Beijing has responded to the overtures with millions in trade deals and grants.

Mr. Duterte has also decided to defer bringing up with China the Philippines’ legal victory in the arbitral tribunal that invalidated its expansive claims in the South China Sea.

China’s Xinhua News said on its Twitter account that Xi and Mr. Duterte discussed their ties and the Korean Peninsula during their phone conversation.