Duterte welcomes Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Malacañang

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President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday afternoon welcomed Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Malacañang a day after the closing of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit in Manila.

Li arrived in Malacañang at 3:55 p.m. and was given arrival honors at the Kalayaan grounds.

Duterte and Li will have an expanded bilateral meeting where they are expected to discuss issues of common interest.

The two leaders will also witness the signing of various Memoranda of Agreement (MOU).

Duterte and Li will issue a joint statement and would then lead the ceremonial launching of the P450-million Binondo-Intramuros Bridge and the P260-million Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge.

The Department of Finance had earlier said that the Chinese side indicated that it would support these two bridge projects through grant financing.

The two leaders are also set to witness the ceremonial launching of the Dangerous Drugs Abuse Treatment Rehabilitation Center.

Li’s official visit will be capped by a state banquet hosted by Duterte. /je