PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Monday he will not raise the territorial issue in the South China Sea when he meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the sidelines of the Boao Forum in Hainan province.
China has vowed not to expand or build another structure in the disputed waters after the Philippines protested the construction of communications facilities at a military base it built over Kagitingan Reef.
“In our bilateral meeting, we will discuss the full range of Philippines-China relations,” Duterte told reporters before leaving for China.
But he added he will not raise the disputes in the West Philippine Sea.
“I will just thank them and say thank you for issuing the statement. It’s a word of honor for one,” Duterte said.
He said he was confident China would be true to its word.
He vowed to advance the Philippines’ interests in trade expansion and investment promotion during the Boao Forum.
Xi aside, Duterte will also meet with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Mongolian Prime Minister Ukhnaa Khürelsükh, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and IMF managing director Christine Lagarde.
“As friends and sovereign equals, we will review the progress of our efforts and chart ways to ensure prosperity for our nations and region,” Duterte said.
He said he would not be making mistakes because there could be no progress without stability and security in Asia’s lands and waters.
After the Boao Forum, Duterte will proceed to Hong Kong where thousands of Filipino workers are working, and mostly as domestics.
Duterte said he would report to the Filipinos in Hong Kong the developments at home and listen to their concerns.
“My dream is a comfortable life for every Filipino. My mandate is to secure the interests of our nation and people. My solemn oath is to spare no effort to make these happen as I engage other nations,” Duterte said.
Meanwhile, Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Santa Romana said China may soon hire more Filipinos.
He said the Chinese market was opening up to Filipinos to work there as English teachers and domestic helpers.
“Right now, it is a case-by-case basis. There are Filipino teachers in China but they found their jobs on their own. You know, they sought it out and they were hired,” Santa Romana said.
“There used to be a Chinese rule that excluded the Philippines as a legal source or as a source that they encouraged. They wanted to emphasize what they called native speakers, but they have relaxed it now.”