MANILA—The Philippines is ready to pursue more projects with China under the Belt and Road Initiative, President Rodrigo Duterte told Chinese Premier Li Kequiang Thursday.

Duterte, who is in China for the second Belt and Road Forum, said he wants to “bolster” Manila’s engagements with Beijing during his bilateral meeting with Li.

“The Philippines’ continued participation in this forum is an acknowledgment of the vision of a global connectivity for shared prosperity,” the President said in his opening remarks during the meeting.

“For the signing of the MOU (memorandum of understanding) on cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, the Philippines is ready to pursue more projects with China.”

President Duterte now holding bilateral talks with Premier Li Keqiang at the Diaoyutai Guesthouse in Beijing (Photos courtesy: Malacanang) pic.twitter.com/DA0wxgpPI4

— Pia Gutierrez (@pia_gutierrez) April 25, 2019

China’s Belt and Road Initiative plans to connect Beijing to the rest of Asia, Africa, and Europe through a series of ports, railways, roads, and industrial parks.

If fully realized, the global infrastructure plan could set the stage for the world economic landscape in the years to come.

Earlier in the day, Duterte also held a bilateral meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping where he touted “high-quality” projects with China as he sought for Manila’s inclusion in the Belt and Road Forum.

• Duterte touts ‘high-quality’ projects with China in Xi meeting

Duterte, who veered away from the Philippines’ oldest ally the United States at the start of his presidency, is visiting China for the fourth time in his 3-year-old presidency.

His visit comes at the heels of rising tensions between Manila and Beijing over disputed areas in the South China Sea.

Duterte had set aside Manila's victory from a United Nations-backed international court which invalidated China’s sweeping claims over the South China Sea in exchange forcloser ties with Asia’s largest economy.

• Courting China again: What’s on the line for Duterte in Beijing return