DFA: Bilateral meeting between Duterte, Xi in China eyed

THE Philippine government is eyeing a bilateral dialogue between President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum in China, acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Robespierre Bolivar said Monday.

Bolivar, in a pre-departure press conference, said the Philippine government is trying to schedule the possible bilateral meetings of Duterte with Xi and other heads of states who will be attending the forum in China from May 14 to 15.

"That's one thing we are trying to work out. As we can imagine, as host of the Belt and Road Forum, President Xi and Premier Li [Keqiang] would probably have a very busy schedule so we’re trying to work out possible bilateral meetings not just with the Chinese leadership but also with the 27 other heads of states who are attending the forum," he said.

Bolivar said Duterte would proceed to Beijing on May 13 after his visit to Hong Kong to attend the Belt and Road Forum.

The Belt and Road Forum aims to boost global understanding of the Belt and Road Initiative, which seeks to connect Asia and Europe with a vast network of trade and infrastructure. It will be attended by 28 heads of states and heads of three international organizations.

XI and other world leaders attending the event would have a roundtable conference on infrastructure connectivity; economic and trade cooperation; industrial investment; energy and resources; financial support; people-to-people exchanges; ecological and environmental protection; and marine cooperation.

Bolivar said Duterte might discuss “issues of common concern between the Philippines and China,” if he is able to secure a bilateral meet with Xi.

He said the President is expected to strengthen the Philippines’ economic cooperation with China, since the forum emphasizes the need to improve economic ties among the participants.

“We cannot preempt what the President will raise. But definitely, [these are] issues that are critical to our national interest,” the acting Foreign Affairs spokesman said.

“Anything that can help the Philippines in its economic development is very welcome and we believe that the Belt and Road initiative can be a helpful mechanism for the Philippines to promote its economic interests in the region,” he added.

Bolivar, however, could not confirm whether the President would raise the West Philippine Sea disputes with the Chinese leader.

Quizzed if Duterte might bring up the sea row, he said: “I’m not sure. I cannot say for certain if it will be discussed.”

The firebrand President has refused to sow rift with China as he decided not to invoke the Philippine-favored ruling of Permanent Court of Arbitration on the contested waters.

The July 12, 2016 decision of the arbitral court invalidated China’s claims to resource-rich South China Sea but Duterte has maintained his stance to pursue a diplomatic approach to resolve the issue.

Duterte has also avoided mentioning the arbitral ruling during the Philippines’ hosting of the 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ summit in Manila, stressing that the dispute is a matter that should be addressed only between China and the Philippines. (SunStar Philippines)

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