Duterte plans to return to China for ‘One Belt, One Road’ forum

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands after a signing ceremony in Beijing, China, Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016. Duterte was meeting Thursday with Xi in Beijing as part of a charm offensive aimed at seeking trade and support from the Asian giant by setting aside a thorny territorial dispute. (Pool photo by NG HAN GUAN via AP)

President Rodrigo Duterte plans to return China on the invitation of President Xi Jinping to attend a forum for its “One Belt, One Road” strategy, which seeks to revitalize trade networks between countries through the revival of the ancient Silk Road routes.

Duterte disclosed his plan in a speech before Filipino-Chinese businessmen on Friday, where he once more praised China for its financial assistance to the Philippines

“So I would like to thank again President Xi Jingping for being just too kind to us,” he said. “And I am going there. I was invited by the president himself, for the One Belt, One Road. It’s a very ambitious project of China,” he said.

This followed his statements in recent days that downplayed Chinese presence in Philippine waters, particularly at Benham Rise, which had raised concern among defense officials.

In his speech, Duterte also noted that China had promised a $10 billion investment initially and pledged to build two bridges in Manila for free.

He also recalled his first visit to China, where he extended his hand in friendship to Xi.

“I went to China, I said, Mr. Xi Jinping, I am here to shake your hand,” he said. “I am not asking for anything, I just want to trade with you because you seem to be far away.”

Xi, in response, told him that the Philippines’ foreign policy appeared to dovetail with what the United States wanted.

But Duterte assured him that his foreign policy would be different and that he would want to establish economic ties with Beijing
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“So I said I will adopt and then align the foreign policy,” he said. “But I would like to trade with you and please help us.”

“So it’s there,” he added. “So we’re getting a relief now from our hardships because a lot of money is coming in.” /atm