MANILA (2nd UPDATE) — Former president Rodrigo Duterte on Monday met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which the latter expressed hope the previous Philippine leader will continue to promote "friendly cooperation" between the two countries, Chinese officials said.

The meeting took place at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, Chinese media reported.

President Xi Jinping met with former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. President Xi said he appreciates the strategic choice Mr. Duterte made to improve relations with China during his presidency & his important contributions to friendly exchanges between the two countries. pic.twitter.com/3RxyXb206C

— Hua Chunying 华春莹 (@SpokespersonCHN) July 17, 2023

"President Xi said he appreciates the strategic choice Mr. Duterte made to improve relations with China during his presidency and his important contributions to friendly exchanges between the two countries," said Hua Chunying, spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

• Chinese envoy: China-PH relations ‘deepened’ under Duterte, maritime disputes ‘properly handled’

The official said China values its relations with the Philippines, with the Asian giant "ready to work" with Manila in sustaining the "growth of bilateral relations."

Chinese media reported Xi as saying he hopes Duterte, who was president from 2016 until 2022, "will continue to play an important role in the friendly cooperation between the two countries."

They said Duterte thanked China for its "valuable support to the Philippines' economic and social development," saying that the friendly relations between the two countries serve the best interest and "conforms to the aspirations of the majority of the Filipinos."

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), on the other hand, said that it "had no official information" on Duterte's meeting with Xi.

Duterte, now 78, forged friendlier relations with China during his term in favor of economic assistance and investments amid the latter's continuing incursions in the West Philippine Sea.

"I just simply love Xi Jinping. He understands my problem. He's willing to help. I'd like to say thank you, China (Mahal ko si Xi Jinping. Naiintindihan niya ang suliranin ko at handa siyang tumulong. Maraming salamat sa Tsina)," he said in 2018.

• 'I love Xi Jinping': Duterte nagpasalamat sa Tsina pero 'di aatras sa usaping teritoryo'

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