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Duterte says bilateral talks with Xi, Putin ‘most meaningful’


President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday said that he had the "most meaningful" bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Da Nang, Vietnam.

In his arrival speech at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport following his 4-day visit to Vietnam, Duterte said he had "renewed" his friendship with Putin and Xi.

"Ang pinaka-meaningful na bilateral ko, ‘yung sa Russia pati sa China and I assured President Xi Jinping of our friendship and that it will remain warm and robust," Duterte said.

"Wala kaming pinag-usapan na --- the Cabinet members were there, all of them. Except, they say that he’s supporting me doon sa insurgency pati sa drugs and the help that they can extend to us," he added.

The Chief Executive, however, said that he did not press the Chinese leader on the Philippines' territorial claims in the South China Sea.

"I see a very bright future for our relationship. Nothing to do with military. I have stated before and I was not lying, I would not entertain talks about military or anything except that I had to thank Mr. Xi Jinping for the timely and crucial help that he extended to our country when we were fighting the siege of Marawi," he said.

Duterte said that "everything went smoothly" with the bilateral meeting with the Chinese president. He added that he had extended an invitation to Xi to visit the Philippines.

"He said that he will --- he confirms everything that he promised and the construction of the two bridges that would span Pasig River, dalawa ang sinabi niya, would start immediately," he said.

He said that Xi will visit the country "in due time" and "at the mutual convenience of both countries."

"He had a promise that --- I also --- also given again an invitation to go back to China whether as a friend, official, not official visits," Duterte said.

"He said, 'you can go to China if you want to observe anything and promote the same --- the physical features of what you see now, pwede mong tignan and you can go there as a tourist and we will guide you and show you the factories and all. And maybe you can learn very --- something very useful for your country'," he added.

Duterte said that he had a "very fruitful" bilateral meeting with Putin as the Russian leader had extended his support in the Philippines' war against terrorism and drugs.

"They have extended their open support for us in fighting terrorism and drugs. And almost all of them also have the same problem. So madaling kausapin because we’re… They’re also suffering from the same the scourge with drugs," he said.

China and Russia had donated firearms and other equipment to the military. China had also given P65 million for the treatment and recovery of soldiers wounded in the clashes in Marawi City. —Marlly Rome Bondoc/ALG, GMA News

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