MANILA — Chinese President Xi Jinping extended his best wishes to President Rodrigo R. Duterte who will celebrate his 73rd birthday on Wednesday, March 28.
In his congratulatory letter sent through the Chinese Embassy in Manila, Xi said China and the Philippines over the past few years have experienced a turnaround in its relations, which he described as being further “consolidated and deepened.”
“Our bilateral relations have enjoyed ongoing betterment and improvement and reaped productive outcomes, which brought tangible benefits to our two peoples and promoted peace and stability of the region,” he said.
“We have met with each other on quite a few occasions and we reached important consensus on advancing China-Philippines relations and deepening practical cooperation, and set the course for the future growth of our bilateral relations,” he added.
Xi said he links the “great significance” to the growth of China-Philippines relations under the current administration, noting he is ready to work with the Duterte “to carry forward sustained and in-depth growth of China-Philippines relations and bring about more benefits to our countries and peoples.”
The two leaders first met in October 2016 during President Duterte’s state visit to Beijing.
The two nations have since established its renewed relations after the meeting which was followed by a series of engagement from both the two governments. (Joyce Ann L. Rocamora/PNA)
