APD | President Duterte and Premier Li Keqiang hold bilateral talks

By APD writer Melo M. Acuña

MANILA,Aug.31(APD) – President Rodrigo Duterte met with Premier Le Keqiang at The Great Hall of the People in Beijing on his third day on his five-day visit to China.

According to reports from the Presidential Communications Operations Office, Premier Li said the Philippines is an important cooperation partner in Southeast Asia and the friendship between the two countries “has a time-honored tradition.”

Premier Li said when President Duterte took office three years ago, the bilateral relations started to turn around and continue to enjoy steady progress and sound development.

He added the friendship has deepened as it is based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.

He further committed to strengthen the bilateral relationship and continue to achieve “win-win results” as well as maintain security and stability in the region as both nations pursue peace in the world.

During the same meeting, President Duterte said being coordinator country of ASEAN-China, he has received “so many requests” regarding the progress of the Code of Conduct that China is preparing for the operation of the Code of Conduct. He added most of the requests have come from ASEAN countries while the “biggest urgency really comes from the Western world.”

“And I would like to tell you now, in front of the media and all, that the passage of the Code of Conduct by China and everyone else is the least concern of America,” President Duterte said.

Premier Li said China hopes that during the Philippines’ tenure as country coordinator of China-ASEAN relations, the consultations on the COC would be concluded “so as to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea,.”

President Duterte concluded saying that it is his dream, for the Code of Conduct to be concluded by ASEAN nations and China.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)