President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Thursday met with Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua in a courtesy call in Malacañang to discuss the implementation of key infrastructure projects funded by China.
During the meeting, President Duterte expressed his gratitude to Vice Premier Hu for coming to the country, saying the visit signifies the growing friendship between the Philippines and China.
The Chief Executive also recalled the visit of Hu’s predecessor to Davao City, adding that his two visits to China this year validate his administration’s commitment to further improve the bilateral relations between the two countries.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Hu’s visit also include discussions regarding trade, investment, agriculture, and tourism.
President Duterte’s independent foreign policy resulted to a warmer relation with the Asian economic giant, with China becoming the Philippines’ major trading partner, the biggest source of imports and exports, and the second largest source of tourists.
In China, Vice Premier Hu is in charge of matters concerning agriculture, water resources, commerce, and tourism.
The members of the Chinese delegation present during the courtesy call were Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua, State Council Deputy Secretary-General Gao Yu, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vice Minister Zheng Zeguang, Ministry of Commerce Vice Minister and China International Trade Deputy Representative Wang Shouwen, China International Development Cooperation Agency Vice Chairman Deng Boqing, Department of Asian Affairs Director General Peng Gang, Secretary to the Vice Premier Li Jialu, and Department of Asian Affairs Director Lu Qinhong.
Filipino officials present were Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, National Economic and Development Authority Dir. Gen. Ernesto Pernia, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Meynardo Montealegre, DFA Executive Director Josel Ignacio, DFA Acting Director Ira Micheline Valdez, DOF Chief of Staff Anita Linda Aquino, and Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go. PND
