(Eagle News) — Chinese President Xi Jinping is “full of expectations” as his state visit in the country starts tomorrow, Nov. 20.
“I am full of expectations as I am about to set foot on this beautiful land, an ever-growing nation, and home to an honest and friendly people,” he said in a statement.
Xi noted the improved relations between the two countries especially since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office in 2016.
He called them “a rainbow after the rain,” as he emphasized the need to “properly handle differences” on the South China Sea dispute to make it “a sea of peace.”
He also praised the geographical location of the Philippines, making it the “natural partner” for China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
“We need to promote interactions between our political parties, parliaments, think tanks and at the local level,” Xi said, noting the need for deeper political mutual trust, enhanced practical cooperation, stronger people-to-people ties, and deeper cooperation with East Asian nations.
He said “in just a little more than two years, China has become the Philippines’ largest trading partner, largest export market and largest source of imports, and the second largest source of tourists.”
“I am visiting this time mainly to have in-depth discussions with President Duterte on how to elevate our all-round cooperation under new circumstances and make overall plan for greater progress in our relationship toward a higher level,” he said.
Xi is slated to visit the country tomorrow, Nov. 20, until Wednesday, Nov. 21.
He will have been the first Chinese leader to visit the Philippines after China’s Hu Jintao in 2005.
