Former President Rodrigo Duterte visited China to fulfill the invitation made by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
On July 17, 2023, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, Xi asked Duterte to promote the relationship between China and the Philippines.
“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,” the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
The meeting happened after PH’s current president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s noticeably friendly relationship with the United States.
A public survey also showed the Filipinos preferred a cooperation between Philippines and America.