Duterte, Xi reaffirm PH-China ties but no word yet if arbitral ruling tackled

BEIJING- President Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping assured each other of continued cooperation and stronger diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China as they witnessed the signing of six agreements on Thursday night.

It was not clear, however, if Mr. Duterte was able to discuss the international arbitral court ruling and the existence of Philippine offshore gaming operations with Xi during their bilateral meeting at the Diayutao State Guesthouse here.

“Let us reaffirm the value of our relationship, both personal and official, as well as the trust and respect pursuant to mutual benefit that we have been building for the last three years,” the President said in his opening statement.

Among the documents signed by representatives of both countries was the “preferential buyer’s credit loan agreement” for the Philippine National Railways project and another loan facility between the Department of Finance, and the Export-Import Bank of China and the China International Development Cooperation Agency.

The parties also entered into two separate memoranda of understanding between the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Science and Technology with their Chinese counterparts.

The Bureau of Customs likewise signed two agreements for improving the coordination between Chinese and Philippine customs authorities, including the contract for the “container inspection equipment” project.