Chinese President Xi Jinping received a red carpet welcome within the Philippines on Tuesday when he made his first visit to a United States ally, making offers of infrastructure loans and recent agreements to stop clashes and possibly probe for oil and gas within the disputed southern China Sea.
Xi met with top officials during a military brass band performance in Manila, the most recent stop in a three-nation movement through Asia through which he offers loans and aid for infrastructure and advocates free trade in a contest for influence with the United States.
Maintaining “good neighborliness and friendship” is the one “right selection” for China and the Philippines to realize their goals and customary interests within the face of “profound and sophisticated changes on the planet,” visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping said yesterday in his arrival statement , as quoted by Philstar.com.
“China is able to cooperate with the Philippines to realize even greater progress in our relationships,” he said. “Our nations have greater expectations for stronger ties and comprehensive cooperation between our two sides.”
Later in Malacañang, Xi repeated his government’s pledge to work toward a consensus because it joins the Philippines and the remainder of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) inside three years to develop a code of conduct within the South China Sea.
“China and the Philippines have many common interests within the South China Sea. We will proceed to deal with disputes and promote maritime cooperation through friendly consultations,” Xi said.
“We will work with other ASEAN countries to conclude a COC based on consultation and consensus inside three years and proceed our contributions to peace, stability and prosperity within the region,” the Chinese leader added.
At the invitation of President Duterte, Xi is in Manila on a two-day state visit. His visit to the Philippines is the eighth visit by a Chinese leader since diplomatic relations were established between the 2 countries in 1975. It can be the primary visit by a Chinese president in 13 years.
According to ABS-CBN, The Philippines and China signed 29 agreements on Tuesday during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit, highlighting the growing cooperation between the 2 countries under President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Through mutual respect, sincerity and upholding sovereign equality, I’ll proceed to work closely with President Xi to deepen the connection between our great countries in order that together we are able to ensure a peaceful and prosperous future for each our peoples and the whole region,” Duterte said on the conclusion of the bilateral meeting .
