By Jelly Musico/PNA
MANILA – A bus on Monday unloaded members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Drum and Bugle Corps at the Malacañang Palace grounds for a final day rehearsal, as the country prepares to roll out a red carpet for the arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Xi is set to arrive on Tuesday for his first state visit to the Philippines which he described as a “beautiful land”.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said President Rodrigo Duterte and the entire nation are looking forward to Xi’s visit, which the Palace official said, “is a turning point on both our countries’ histories”.
“This would be his first state visit to the Philippines – and the first of its kind by a Chinese leader since 2005 — reciprocating the state visit made earlier by our Chief Executive,” Panelo said in a statement.
Hu Jintao held the last state visit of a Chinese President on April 26, 2005 during the time of former President and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Xi visited the Philippines in November 2015 but only to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting.
Panelo said Xi’s state visit marks an opportunity for the Philippines to strengthen and sustain its bilateral relations with the foreign country “which surged forward under the visionary leadership of President Duterte”.
“We consider our country’s long-lasting friendship with China and the presence of Chinese and Chinese-Filipinos in the country as integral parts of our own growth and progress,” Panelo said.
“China is now considered a top trading partner of the Philippines, a leading export market for the Philippines, and one of the largest tourist origins to the Philippines,” he added.
The Palace lauded Xi for China’s continued efforts to promote peace and stability in the region “through dialogues and consultations in handling the South China Sea issue.
Panelo said the Philippines shares the Chinese’s leader aspiration in bringing the relationship between China and the Philippines to a higher level of collaboration.
“Indeed, amity solves international disputes and even forges a more powerful alliance between both countries against threats to security, including terrorism, violent extremism, criminality, and the drug menace,” Panelo said.
He said cooperation agreements between the two countries are expected to be signed during Xi’s visit.
“Owing to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s cautious, pragmatic and diplomatic yet independent foreign policy, we anticipate more opportunities to forge better cooperation and friendship with China,” he said.
According to Malacañang, Xi will lay a wreath on the monument of national hero Jose Rizal at the Rizal Park to commence his two-day state visit.
The Chinese leader will then proceed to Malacañang Palace for an official welcome ceremony at 4:30 p.m.
From the Palace grounds, Duterte and Xi will go the Palace Reception Hall for the signing of guest book which will be followed by a photo opportunity and expanded bilateral meeting.
After their bilateral meeting, the two leaders will witness the signing of agreements and will then issue joint statements.
The two leaders will also deliver toast remarks during the state banquet.
On Wednesday, Xi will meet Macapagal-Arroyo and Senate President Vicente Sotto III at the Shangri-la in Bonifacio Global City.
The Chinese leader will have a photo opportunity with leaders of the Filipino-Chinese community also at Shangri-la before returning to Beijing after lunch.
