Duterte meets China’s Vice Premier Hu in Malacañang

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte discusses matters with Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China Hu Chunhua who paid a courtesy call on the President at the Malacañan Palace on October 24, 2019. RICHARD MADELO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte met with China’s Vice Premier Hu Chunhua on Thursday in Malacañang to discuss Chinese-funded infrastructure projects in the Philippines.

In a press statement, Malacañang said Duterte Hu’s visit to Manila “signifies the growing friendship between the Philippines and China.”

The Palace said Duterte told Hu that his two visits to China this year “validate his administration’s commitment to further improve the bilateral relations between the two countries.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said Hu’s visit to the county includes discussions on trade, investment, agriculture, and tourism.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte discusses matters with Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China Hu Chunhua who paid a courtesy call on the President at the Malacañan Palace on October 24, 2019. RICHARD MADELO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

During his courtesy call to Duterte, Hu was accompanied by Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua, State Council Deputy Secretary-General Gao Yu, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vice Minister Zheng Zeguang, Ministry of Commerce Vice Minister and China International Trade Deputy Representative Wang Shouwen, China International Development Cooperation Agency Vice-Chairman Deng Boqing, Department of Asian Affairs Director-General Peng Gang, Secretary to the Vice Premier Li Jialu, and Department of Asian Affairs Director Lu Qinhong.

Government officials present in the event were Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, National Economic and Development Authority Dir. Gen. Ernesto Pernia, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Meynardo Montealegre among others. /kga