Duterte arrives in China
BEIJING – President Rodrigo Duterte arrived here at around 8:05 p.m. on Tuesday for a much-anticipated four-day state visit meant to rekindle bilateral ties with China.
Mr. Duterte left Brunei at 3:05 p.m. aboard the presidential plane that also carried his entourage that included Presidential Adviser for Peace Process Jesus Dureza; Presidential Economic Adviser Ramon Jacinto, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano, Abul Khayr Alonto, Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence Go, Chief Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo.
Soon after landing in Beijing, Mr. Duterte checked in at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, where most Philippine government and business delegates are likewise staying.
Upon arrival, Mr. Duterte was welcomed by Chinese and Philippine officials led by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua and Chargé d’Affaires of the Philippine Embassy Elizabeth Te.
The President’s official delegation in China includes Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno, Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, National Economic and Development Authority Director General Ernesto Pernia, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Martin Andanar, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, and Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco.
This is the fifth country the President visited since he assumed the presidency in June.
President Duterte and his delegation came straight from a three-day state visit in Brunei Darussalam.
On Wednesday, the President will meet the Filipino community at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.
On Thursday, President Duterte is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People.
It is expected to be followed by the signing of a number of memoranda of understanding and agreement on various fields of cooperation between the two countries.
The President is also set to meet with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to discuss the enhancement of economic cooperation.
He is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the Philippine-China Trade and Investment Forum, which will be attended by about a thousand businessmen from the Philippines and China.
After the forum, President Duterte is expected to meet with National People’s Congress Chairman Zhang Dejiang.
His third day here will be capped off by a state banquet to hosted by President Xi at the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People.
On the last day of his visit, President Duterte will meet with the officials of Bank of China.
The Philippines and China celebrated 41 years of formal bilateral relations in June this year.
Mr. Duterte’s pivot to China is widely expected to bring in more foreign direct investments to the country.
About 450 businessmen from the Philippines and at least 400 businessmen from China are attending a business forum with the president on Thursday.
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