MANILA - Chinese President Xi Jinping ended his historic 2-day visit to the Philippines Wednesday, leaving with the prospect of a strategic partnership with Manila despite unresolved disputes in the South China Sea.

Xi, the first Chinese President to hold a state visit to the Philippines in 13 years, boarded an Air China plane at 1:30 p.m amid a drizzle.

WATCH: Chinese President Xi Jinping departs the Philippines after his 2-day state visit. #XiPHvisit pic.twitter.com/XeKDDTeizd

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During his visit, Xi secured President Rodrigo Duterte's agreement for China and the Philippines to "elevate our relationship into one of comprehensive, strategic cooperation.”

This is seen to cement ties between Manila and Beijing long frayed by bitter disputes in the South China Sea, where tensions had escalated before Duterte's time, including a 2012 standoff at the Scarborough Shoal and a 2013 arbitration case that led to a legal victory for the Philippines the administration has opted to shelf.

During Xi's visit, the Philippines and China also signed 29 deals, including a memorandum of understanding on the cooperation on oil and gas development.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said this pact is seen as a "solution" to how the two countries could enjoy resources in the disputed areas.

Also among deals signed was a pact for cooperation on China's Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to boost trade in ancient Silk Road trade routes, and an infrastructure cooperation program between the two countries.

• PH, China sign 29 deals during Xi visit

During Xi's meeting with Duterte, the two leaders discussed mutual concerns on defense, security, maritime cooperation, law enforcement, and transnational crime, among others.

The Chinese President also met with leaders of the Philippine Senate and the House of Representatives to discuss inter-parliamentary relations.

China and the Philippines have seen warmer ties since Duterte assumed office in 2016 and prioritized boosting trade ties with Asia's largest economy, setting aside the sea dispute.

While cozying up to Beijing, Duterte veered the Philippines away from its long-standing partnership with treaty ally the United States.

But a survey released on the eve of Xi's arrival showed most Filipinos reject the the government's pivot to China, with many expressing distrust in the Asian economic giant.

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International policy experts earlier advised the Philippine government to be smart in dealing with China to avoid falling for the so-called "debt trap."

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