PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte thanked Wednesday the Chinese government anew for "loving" the Philippines by granting financial aid.

Duterte said his administration had received $100 million in agricultural assistance and another $100 million for the earthquake victims in Surigao when China's Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan visited him last Tuesday.

"So the minister of commerce was kind enough to visit us... Right away, they handed to the finance people $100 million, and another $100 million for Surigao [quake victims]. Look at how they give aid, dollars, not pesos," he said at the 10th Philippine Councilors' League held in Pasay City.

"That's why I am really thankful and they have really lightened up the economic life of our country," he added.

Duterte said he made a "correct decision" when he bolster the Philippines' ties with China, as it boost the country's economy.

He said he was grateful that he had been able to establish good relations with Chinese President Xi Jinping when he went to China last year.

"You can really see the sincerity of Chinese so let me publicly again thank President Xi Jinping and the Chinese people for loving us and giving us enough leeway to survive the rigors of economic life in this planet," he said. (SunStar Philippines)

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