Chinese President Xi arrives in Manila for state visit

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Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Manila on Tuesday for a state visit at the invitation of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

President Xi flew into the capital of the Philippines, following his state visit to Brunei.

Xi's two-day trip to the Philippines marks the first visit by a Chinese head of state in 13 years.

He will meet with his Philippine counterpart Rodrigo Duterte later in the day at the Presidential Palace.

Xi pointed out that China and the Philippines are both developing countries and emerging economies in Asia.

For the two countries, good neighborliness and friendship is the only choice that satisfies the interest of both countries and their peoples.

Since President Duterte took office, China and the Philippines reopened relations with the joint efforts of both sides, Xi said.

The Chinese president is looking forward to exchanging views with the Philippine leaders on strengthening China-Philippines relations and international and regional issues of common concern.

Xi believed that this visit will surely achieve the goal of consolidating friendship, deepening cooperation, and working together for common development.

Prior to his arrival, a signed article by the Chinese president titled "Open up a New Future Together for China-Philippines Relations" was published in three Philippine newspapers.

President Xi called on the two countries to elevate their all-round cooperation under new international circumstances.

Ahead of Xi's arrival, President Duterte said the Chinese president's visit will bring bilateral relations a "notch higher."

The Philippines is the last stop of Xi's three-country Asia-Pacific tour. He has already visited Papua New Guinea, where he also attended the 26th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting, and Brunei.