MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte arrived in Davao City Friday dawn following his four-day visit in China and Hong Kong.

In his speech, the president said he came back with $9 billion worth of investment pledges from China.

The pledges, made by Chinese firms involved in land reclamation, energy, agriculture, tourism, pharmaceuticals, and construction, could generate more than 10,000 jobs for Filipinos.

Also signed was a memorandum of understanding on the employment of Filipino teachers of the English language in China.

The Chinese government, Duterte said, also provided 500 million renminbi (about P4.1 billion) in economic assistance to the Philippines.

"We have secured so many billions..and that 500 million renminbi, gratis yan, there's no contract. It's P4 billion straight," he said.

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Duterte said he would suggest to Congress to use the money to repair and equip hospitals in Mindanao.

"First one is I will repair and equip hospitals in the South, particularly in Jolo and Basilan," he said. "Wala silang CT scan, MR, MRI and competent doctors."

"Gusto ko ibigay muna ito to those really, really, urgently, immediate ang needs," Duterte added.

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Asked about his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the international economic forum in Hainan, he said all the Chinese government wants is cooperation.

"All that China needs actually is the cooperation. 'Yun lang. Open your doors if you want something done in your country. You're inviting us to invest, we wil invest. And if you don't have the resources, we will do it for you. And you say, if you have the money to pay, pay us in a short term. If you don't have the money, pay us on a long term," he said.