Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday visited Chinese warships docked in his home town, highlighting fast-warming relations despite competing claims in the South China Sea.
The visit came a day after Duterte issued a chairman’s statement on behalf of the 10-nation ASEAN bloc.
Duterte boarded the missile destroyer Chang Chun which arrived with two other vessels in Davao City on Mindanao island on Sunday for a three-day goodwill visit.
“Goodwill games” of basketball and tug-of-war are being staged between the Chinese sailors and their Filipino counterparts in Davao, the Philippine navy said in a statement.
A Chinese naval fleet has begun a three-day friendly visit to the Philippines after arriving Sunday at Davao City in the archipelago’s southeastern region.
It is the first time a Chinese naval fleet visited Davao, the country’s third largest city. The Philippine side held a grand welcoming ceremony at the Port of Davao.
Miao Hua, Political Commissar of the People’s Liberation Army Navy, who is leading a Chinese delegation addressed the ceremony.
He said that the visit would strengthen the relationship between the Chinese navy and the Philippine navy and contribute to the development of traditional friendship and bilateral ties between the two countries.
Sara Duterte, mayor of Davao City, said that it is her sincere hope that the visit would promote exchanges on maritime issues and maritime cooperation between the two sides. She also believed that the visit would enhance peace and friendship between the two countries.
During the visit, the two sides will hold a series of activities such as open day to naval vessels, deck reception and cultural and sports competitions. (reports from Agence France Presse and China Central Television)
