China’s Xi to visit PH before end 2018 – Palace

China’s President Xi Jinping will visit the Philippines before the end of 2018, making it his first trip to Manila under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, Malacañang confirmed on Tuesday.

“There is an impending visit after the Apec in Papua New Guinea. After Apec in November,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace briefing.

Xi is expected to attend the regional economic forum in Papua New Guinea mid-November.

Duterte has visited China thrice as President after his administration has sought warmer ties with Beijing despite our maritime dispute at the West Philippine Sea.

Roque said the visit of Xi to the Philippines has long been planned.

“Matagal na talagang pinaplano kasi hindi pa nakakarating si President Xi as President, although parang nakarating na siya dito. He was mentioning nakarating na siya once in connection with Asean ata or Apec but not on a one-on-one visit, so he was really looking forward to visiting the Philippines,” he said.

“And I remember in China, the President even invited him not only just to come to the Philippines but to come to his house and have dinner in his house in Davao,” he added.  /muf