Xi Jinping meets with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte
On April 10, 2018, President Xi Jinping met with President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines at Boao State Guesthouse in Hainan Province. Xi Jinping pointed out that the China-Philippines relations have opened a new chapter since President Rodrigo Duterte has assumed office. China stands ready to work with the Philippines to adhere to the general direction of goodneighborliness and friendliness, establish the major goal of common development, and carry forward the great wisdom of properly handling the differences so as to ensure that China-Philippines relations will always enjoy healthy and stable development in the right direction.
Xi Jinping emphasized that China unswervingly pursues a good-neighborly and friendly policy towards the Philippines and sincerely supports the development of the Philippines. China supports the Philippine government in actively exploring a development path that suits its national conditions.
Xi Jinping pointed out that the China-Philippines relations have experienced from “turnaround” to “consolidation” in the past two years, ascending two steps in succession. The task of this year should be “improvement”. To this end, the leaders of the two countries should intensify communication and strengthen strategic guidance and top-level design for the China-Philippines relations. The two countries should step up the alignment of the development strategies and promote mutually beneficial cooperation within the “Belt and Road” framework and in various fields as well as deepen security cooperation. China supports the Philippines in its efforts to push forward anti-terrorism, drug elimination and crime eradication campaigns. The departments in charge of news and media of the two sides should strengthen exchanges, fully mobilize the civil society to participate in the cause of the China-Philippines friendship, expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges and consolidate the public opinion foundation. China and the Philippines should continue to properly address the South China Sea issue and explore cooperation in joint exploitation and development at an appropriate time, making the South China Sea a sea of cooperation and friendship.
Xi Jinping stressed that China has always regarded the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN strategic partnership and the China-ASEAN Year of Innovation. As the Philippines will take over the country coordinator for China-ASEAN relations, China is willing to intensify communication and coordination with the Philippines so as to promote the continuous development of China-ASEAN relations and East Asian regional cooperation.
President Rodrigo Duterte said that currently, the Philippines-China relations have maintained a sound momentum of development. The Philippines appreciates China’s assistance and support for its economic and social development and for its capacity to improve anti-terrorism and stability maintenance. The Philippine side is willing to actively participate in the co-building of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and cement cooperation with China in such fields as economy and trade, fishery, tourism, education, infrastructure, law enforcement and security. The Philippines stands ready to work together with China to continuously maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea through bilateral communication and consultation in a bid to make the South China Sea a cooperative area between the two sides. The Philippines will assume the post as the country coordinator for ASEAN-China relations and stands ready to actively promote and deepen the cooperation between the ASEAN and China.
After the meeting, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of the cooperation documents.