APD | Groundwork for President Duterte's participation in 2nd Belt and Road Forum discussed

By APD writer Melo M. Acuña

MANILA, March. 21 (APD) – Included in the issues discussed by Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. and State Councilor and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was President Rodrigo Duterte’s attendance to the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation next month.

In a statement released Thursday morning, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Secretary Locsin and Minister Wang engaged in a “friendly, candid and in-depth discussion about the state of Philippines-China relations.”  The meeting discussed economic cooperation, political-security relations and people-to-people exchange.

They also talked about the Philippines’ role as Country Coordinator of ASEAN – China Dialogue Relations as well as regional and international issues.

At their joint press conference at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, Messrs. Locsin and Wang reaffirmed their shared commitment to sustaining the positive momentum of relations as well as the deepening of Philippines-China relations.

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang reaffirmed his country’s staunch support for President Duterte’s “Build, Build, Build” program as he “underscored that China stands ready to work with the Philippines to further promote cooperation in all areas and to continue to explore synergies and complementarities” between the “Build, Build, Build” program and China’s “Belt and Road Initiative.”

Philippine Ambassador to Beijing Jose Santiago “Chito” L. Sta. Romana led other Department of Foreign Affairs’ officials during the meeting yesterday.  

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)