By Azer Parrocha/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The Philippines and China are expected to sign at least five agreements during the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, China from April 25 to 27, a foreign affairs official said on Monday.
In a pre-departure briefing in Malacañan Palace, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs (ASPAC) Meynardo Montealegre said among the agreements to be signed are on education, anti-corruption, official development assistance, and drug rehabilitation.
Montealegre, however, said the agreements are still undergoing “final stages of consultations”.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte, upon the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, will be among the 40 leaders and heads of international organizations participating in the forum.
“The President is scheduled to have bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping as well as Premier Li Keqiang,” Montealegre confirmed.
He said Duterte and Xi are expected to discuss areas of mutual benefit, including defense, security, economics, and development and regional and international issues of importance.
On the other hand, Duterte and Li will discuss a more detailed cooperation in various areas including infrastructure, trade and investment, people-to-people relations, as well as regional cooperation.
Montealegre said issues on the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) may be tackled, but preferred not to preempt the agenda of the items to be discussed.
He also assured that Duterte will assert the Philippine sovereignty over the contested waters.
“The President has always been saying that we will stick to Philippine interest and positions but as I said I cannot preempt to what the specific discussion,” Montealegre said.
As for the schedule, Montealegre said the President will be one of the lead speakers at the Leaders’ Roundtable on the forum’s last day, April 27.
He said the main outcome document of the Leaders’ Roundtable is a joint communiqué of the Leaders’ Roundtable of the Second Belt and Road Forum.
On the first day of the forum on April 25, he said there will be a parallel thematic sub-forum and a CEO conference participated in by invited ministers, officials, and invited companies to the business event.
Montealegre said there will be at least 11 connectivity forums attended by various economic ministers and other leaders of the Philippines.
Day two of the forum on April 26 will be the opening session and the high-level meeting, exclusive to invited leaders.
Montealegre, meanwhile, expressed hope that the President’s participation would allow the Philippines to “take advantage of the economic opportunities” which the forum will provide.
Since the President will have a full schedule for the engagement in the forum, Montealegre said a meeting with the Filipino community in Beijing will not be part of his schedule.
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