Xi Jinping meets with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte of the Philippines

On the evening of August 29, 2019, President Xi Jinping met with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte of the Philippines at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

Xi Jinping welcomed President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s visit to China and attendance at the 2019 International Basketball Federation Basketball World Cup as a spectator. Xi Jinping said, after you took office three years ago, with the joint efforts of both sides, China-Philippines relations have successfully achieved turnaround, consolidation and elevation, making constant and substantial achievements. Despite the profound and complex changes in the global and regional landscapes at present, peace, development, cooperation and win-win results are still an irresistible trend of the times. I am willing to work with you to continue to well grasp the opportunities and the tide of development from a strategic and long-term perspective and lead the development of China-Philippines relations. This will not only benefit the two countries and the two peoples, but also add positive energy to regional peace and stability.

Xi Jinping stressed, both countries should continue to promote the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Philippine side’s “Build, Build, Build” program, and well implement major cooperation projects in infrastructure construction, industrial parks, telecommunications, energy and other fields. The Chinese side is willing to import more high-quality fruits and agricultural products from the Philippines, and will send experts to the Philippines to teach agricultural and fishery technology. On issues such as human rights, the Chinese side will continue to firmly support the Philippine side’s efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and resist external interference.

Xi Jinping pointed out, China and the Philippines have always maintained effective communication on the South China Sea issue. The two sides should put aside their disputes and exclude external interference, in a bid to focus on cooperation, do practical work, and pursue development. As long as both sides handle this issue properly, China-Philippines relations will enjoy better atmosphere and solid foundation, and there will be an important guarantee for regional peace and stability. Both sides can take bigger steps in the joint exploration of maritime oil and gas. The Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea is a pioneering undertaking in establishing rules and regulations in the South China Sea. China and the Philippines should remain committed to promoting the adoption of the COC at an early date to demonstrate the firm stance and positive posture of China and the Philippines to jointly safeguard the long-term stability in the region.

Congratulating the People’s Republic of China on its 70th anniversary, Rodrigo Roa Duterte said, for the Philippines, the experience of China’s successful development is worth learning. He said, I cherish the close friendship with President Xi Jinping. China is very important to the Philippines, and developing bilateral relations is a project lasting for generations. I am ready to meet with President Xi Jinping frequently to strengthen communication, and jointly promote the sustained and vigorous development of the comprehensive strategic cooperative relations between the two countries to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results. The Philippine side hopes that the Chinese side will continue to assist the Philippines in its economic development and infrastructure construction. The Philippines appreciates China’s support to its human rights cause, reconstruction of the earthquake-stricken areas, counter-terrorism, drug control and other aspects. Facts have proven that China is a sincere friend of the Philippines. On the Hong Kong issue, the Philippines fully respects China’s laws and its right to uphold the rule of law in accordance with law.

Rodrigo Roa Duterte noted, I advocate the choice of cooperation rather than confrontation to peacefully resolve disputes in the South China Sea and maintain the general picture of friendly cooperation, peace and stability in the region. This is in line with the interests of all parties concerned in the region. The Philippine side is willing to accelerate the joint exploration of maritime oil and gas with the Chinese side. As the incumbent country coordinator for relations between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China, the Philippines remains committed to promoting the adoption of the COC at an early date.

After the meeting, the two heads of state witnessed the exchange ceremony of bilateral cooperation documents. Both sides also announced the establishment of an intergovernmental joint steering committee and a working group between relevant enterprise on the joint exploration for oil and gas to promote substantial progress of joint exploration at an early date.

Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi, He Lifeng and others were present.