Duterte lands in China for Boao Forum

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte extends his hand to his daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as she shows a gesture of respect to her father while on board Philippine Airlines Chartered Flight PR001 on April 9, 2018. The President and his delegation are set to attend the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2018 in Hainan Province, China slated until April 11, 2018. ALBERT ALCAIN/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

HAINAN, China — President Rodrigo Duterte arrived on Monday in Hainan, China where he is set to address fellow world leaders and business officials at the Boao Forum for Asia and meet with President Xi Jinping, who he said he “simply loves.”

The Chief Executive touched down at the Qionghai Boao Airport at 5:55 pm.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and her young son Stingray accompanied him on the plane. 

Among the officials joining him in Hainan are Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Cayetano, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato dela Peña, and Information and Communications Technology Secretary Eliseo Rio.

This is the President’s third visit to China, which is fast becoming one of the major sources of assistance for the Philippines.

After his China trip, the President will fly to Hong Kong to meet with the Filipino community.  /je