(Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte expressed his sincere appreciation for the timely help given by China in the Philippines’ fight against terrorism, saying one of the rifles donated by China was the one that had been used to kill ISIS Southeast Asia emir Isnilon Hapilon.
At the opening of the bilateral talks with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Malacanang, Duterte asked the Chinese Prime Minister to relay his message of gratitude and “warm feelings” to Chinese President Xi Jinping for his help and friendship.
In turn, Premier Li commended Duterte for his successful ASEAN chairmanship and vowed to give more help to the Philippines, especially in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of war-torn Marawi City, as he relayed China’s belief in the sincerity and leadership of Duterte.
Duterte told Li: “We are gratified for the so many things you have done so far. You have proven to be a good friend of the Philippines. And we look forward to a more robust, a more productive relationship in the days to come.”
“Let me also assure you that during the most critical stage of the Marawi incident when we needed help badly it was China who responded immediately for our cry for help. And the arms that you gave us helped abbreviate, shorten the military fight there.”
“I am happy to report to you that one of the rifles you gave us killed Hapilon,” he added.
Duterte told Li that he will look for the “soldier who fired the fatal shot” and that he is going to return the rifle to China, “so that the Chinese people would know that it was a symbol of the critical help” of China to the Filipino people “when there was nobody who helped us at that time.”
-China’s Li expresses admiration for Duterte
For his part, Chinese Premier Li, who is on his first ever trip to the Philippines, assured Duterte of China’s continued friendship, and also commended Duterte for the very successful hosting of the ASEAN Summit.
Li forwarded the greetings of the Chinese president to Duterte.
He thanked President Duterte for the “thoughtful arrangements” the Philippines had done for the Chinese delegation.
The Chinese Premier also commended and congratulated Duterte for the very successful hosting of the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, and for steering ASEAN to a more powerful position during the Philippines’ chairmanship of the region.
“All the meetings have been very successful, in particular the China-ASEAN dialogue. The China-ASEAN Summit has been very successful.
“The Philippines has played a leadership role and a crucial role in ensuring the success of the meetings,” he said.
“The Chinese side highly appreciates your efforts.”
Premier Li also said that the two nations have a long history of “friendly exchanges” based on “mutual support and mutual benefit.”
-Li: “Helping the Philippines is helping ourselves”
We are now working together to strengthen the momentum of China-Philippine relations, and try to make up for the time and the good opportunities we missed in the past,” Li said, apparently referring to previously sour ties of China and the Philippines during the Aquino administration.
Li said China would be accelerating the implementation of their projects.
The Chinese Premier also commended the Philippines for its fight against terrorism, and vowed that China, like the other nations, will be firmly supporting the fight against terrorism in all forms.
“Your victory on the fight against terrorism is the result of your own efforts,” he told Duterte.
“We highly appreciate the courage and the wisdom demonstrated by the Philippine government in the fight against terrorism,” he said.
He said China will also be helping the Philippines in the “post-war reconstruction of Marawi City,” as well as the improvement of the livelihood of the people there.
“Helping the Philippines is helping ourselves,” Li said.
The Chinese Premier is on a five-day official visit to the country which includes his attendance to the crucial 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related Summits which the Philippines hosted on the ASEAN’s 50th year.
This is the first visit of a Chinese Premier in the past 10 years.