“My state visit to China signaled a turning point in our shared history and showed that both countries are fully capable of working together for mutual beneficial cooperation even as we remain committed to settle disputes peacefully, in full adherence of international law,” President Rodrigo Duterte said in a brief address he gave in Davao City, shortly after he came home from a four-day state visit to China.
With normal ties between the Philippines and China resumed, he said, the two countries agreed to resolve disputes peacefully and to start regular bilateral consultation mechanisms, which had been put on hold for several years.
The bilateral consultations, he said, would cover issues concerning the South China Sea, Mr. Duterte said.
“We also agreed to continue discussions on confidence-building measures, including a bilateral consultation mechanism to discuss immediate issues of concern in South China Sea,” he added.
The two countries also recognized security and stability as necessary conditions for growth and affirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace and freedom of navigation and overflight in South China Sea.
They also forged an agreement between their coast guards to minimize incidents at sea.
Chinese aid in war against illegal drugs
On the battle against illegal drugs, Mr. Duterte said China would be involved in capacity-building, equipment upgrading and support for rehabilitation purposes.
He also boasted of the public financing and business deals forged during his visit to China, valued at $24 billion in soft loans.
He said these agreements would generate two million jobs for Filipinos in the next five years.
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