Duterte returns to China for economic forum, talks with Xi Jinping
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte delivers a speech during an opening of the World Economic Forum on ASEAN, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Thursday, May 11, 2017. (Photo from AP)
BEIJING — Less than six months since he visited China for a state visit, President Rodrigo Duterte came back here on Saturday to attend an economic forum and have bilateral talks with President Xi Jinping.
The President’s plane touched down at the Special Aircraft Terminal Beijing Capital International Airport at 11:20 p.m. (Beijing and Manila are in the same time zone)
Duterte’s official delegation included acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo, Transportation Secretay Arthur Tugade, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Socio Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence Go, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, Rep. Wesley Gatchalian, National Police Chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa, and Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana.
Duterte came straight from a working visit in Hong Kong after he attended the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Cambodia.
On Sunday, Duterte will attend the opening ceremony of the “One Belt, One Road” forum, an economic summit touting China’s infrastructure spending spree.
In the afternoon, he will have bilateral talks with Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj.
On Monday, the chief executive will have talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and China’s Premiere Li Keqiang.
Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana said Duterte and Xi would discuss the updates on the agreements they made during Duterte’s visit in October 2016.
Sta. Romana said the two leaders might also discuss the maritime dispute over the South China Sea.
The envoy said Duterte would also give a five-minute speech on his experience as Philippine president and the state of infrastructure and economy in the country.
He said the “One Belt, One Road” forum was also much-anticipated, with Russian President Vladimir Putin attending.
“This is an oppurtunity where you will see President Duterte with Xi Jinping and Putin,” Sta. Romana said.
Duterte’s economic managers will also present here his administrations “Build, Build, Build” program to entice investors to invest in the Philippines.
Duterte will fly back to the Philippines on May 16. /atm
