Duterte leaves for China, fifth visit since 2016

August 28, 2019

President Rodrigo Duterte is set to leave for China Wednesday afternoon for an official visit upon the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

He will be in Beijing and Guangdong from August 28 to September 1.

Duterte, who is set to hold a bilateral meeting with Xi on Thursday, is expected to bring up The Hague ruling and other concerns related to the South China Sea dispute.

The two leaders are also set to witness the signing of agreements between the two countries.

Xi will also host a dinner banquet for Duterte and the members of his delegation.

A separate bilateral meeting is set between Duterte and Premier Li Keqiang on August 30 before the Filipino leader proceeds to Guangzhou, Guangdong province.

Duterte will join the other Filipinos in supporting Gilas Pilipinas when it competes at the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

He will personally cheer for the Filipino cagers in a scheduled game against the Italian team on August 31.

While in Guangdong, Duterte is set to receive also a call from Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan.

"The President and Vice President Wang are expected to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation in anti-cooperation efforts, increase trade and investment and deepen the friendship between our countrymen and the people of Guangdong," Assistant Foreign Affairs Secretary Meynardo Montealegre said in an earlier press briefing.

This will be Duterte's fifth visit to China since he assumed the presidency in June 2016. Celerina Monte/DMS