21 October 2016

President Rodrigo Duterte of Philippines four days long visit to China concluding today is regarded ‘ Milestone ‘ by Chinese President Xi Jinping. A joint communique of 45 points is issued after the historical meeting of both nations leaders.

Philippines Official News Agency (PNA) reported both countries signed 13 agreements including in areas of education finance, customs and sports; affirm the importance of existing Philippines-China bilateral dialogue mechanisms in enhancing understanding, broadening cooperation and striving for a stronger relationship. Likewise, they agreed to resume the Foreign Ministry Consultations, Consular Consultations, Joint Commission on Economic and Trade Cooperation, Annual Defense Security Talks, Joint Committee on Agriculture, Joint Committee on Science and Technology, and other bilateral dialogue mechanisms; and encourage visits of high-ranking governmental delegations and leaders.

Dispute over the South China Seas did not take centre stage in Duterte’s discussions with Chinese officials. “Both sides agreed that this issue is not the sum total of bilateral relations,” Liu Zhenmin, Vice Foreign Minister of China told reporters after the meeting of both the leaders. The two countries had agreed to seek “settlement through bilateral dialogue”, he said.

It is expected that China will invest around 13.5 Billion US Dollars in various areas in Philippines. Both sides also agreed on opening of Chinese Consulate General Office in Davao.

On Wednesday, President Duterte had announced in Beijing: “I will not go to America any more. We will just be insulted there. So, time to say goodbye my friend.”

On Thursday in meeting with Chinese and Philippine business community members, he announced “I announce my separation from the United States. Both in military, not maybe social, but economics also. America has lost.”

“I’ve realigned myself in your ideological flow and maybe I will also go to Russia to talk to Putin (Russian President)and tell him that there are three of us against the world – China, Philippines, and Russia. It’s the only way,” Rodrigo Duterte said.

PNA reports Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte and President Xi Jinping presided over the signing of following 13 agreements:

1. Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the People’s Republic of China

2. Memorandum of Understanding between the National Economic and Development Authority of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Development and Reform Commission of the People’s Republic of China for Developing Cooperation on Production Capacity and Investment

3. Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Works and Highways of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Development and Reform Commission of the People’s Republic of China on Transportation Infrastructure Cooperation Project List

4. Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Trade and Industry of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Commerce of the Government of the People’s Republic of China on Strengthening Bilateral Trade, Investment and Economic Cooperation

5. Memorandum of Understanding between the National Economic and Development Authority of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China on Formulation of the Development Program for Economic Cooperation

6. Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Finance of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China on Supporting the Conduct of Feasibility Studies for Major Projects

7. Action Plan on Agricultural Cooperation between the Department of Agriculture of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China 2017-2019

8. Memorandum of Agreement between the State Council Information Office of the People’s Republic of China and the Presidential Communications Operations Office of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines on News and Information Exchange, Training and for other Purposes

9. Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Agriculture of the Republic of the Philippines and the General Administration of Quality Supervision Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China on Cooperation of Animal and Plant Inspection and Quarantine

10. Memorandum of Understanding between the Philippine Coast Guard and the China Coast Guard on the Establishment of a Joint Coast Guard Committee on Maritime Cooperation

11. Implementation Program of the Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism Cooperation between the Department of Tourism of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Tourism Administration of the People’s Republic of China 2017-2022

12. Protocol on Cooperation between the Philippines Drug Enforcement Agency and the Narcotics Control Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China; and

13. Memorandum of Understanding on Financing Cooperation between the Export-Import Bank of China and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, represented by the Department of Finance.