Duterte gets birthday greeting from China’s Xi Jinping

President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping MALACAÑANG FILE PHOTO

On the eve of his 73rd birthday, President Rodrigo Duterte received praises from Chinese President Xi Jinping for bolstering the relationship between China and the Philippines.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Chinese Embassy spokesperson Li Lingxiao said that the Chinese government has extended “sincere congratulations” and “best wishes” to President Duterte as he celebrates his birthday.

“On the occasion of His Excellency President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s birthday, His Excellency President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China extends his sincere congratulations and best wishes to President Duterte,” Li said.

According to Li, Xi sent a congratulatory letter to the President which stated that “over the past year, the China-Philippines relations have experienced a turnaround and are being further consolidated and deepened.”

“We have met with each other on quite a few occasions and we reached important consensus on advancing China-Philippines relations and deepening practical cooperation, and set the course for the future growth of our bilateral relations,” Xi said in the letter.

“Our bilateral relations have enjoyed ongoing betterment and improvement and reaped productive outcomes, which brought tangible benefits to our two peoples and promoted peace and stability of the region,” he said.

The Chinese leader had also vowed that his government stands “ready to work with you (President Duterte) to carry forward sustained and in-depth growth of China-Philippines relations and bring about more benefits to our countries and peoples.”

READ: No big bash: Duterte to mark 73rd birthday at home with family

President Duterte will be celebrating his 73rd birthday on March 28 Wednesday in Davao City. /jpv