Duterte in China: “Time to say goodbye to America”
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte during his meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on October 20 clearly sought closer ties with the Asian country while blasting his US allies.
During a speech addressing the Filipino community in Beijing on the previous day, Duterte said the Philippines had “gained little” from its long alliance with the US, its former colonial ruler.
“Your stay in my country was for your own benefit. So time to say goodbye, my friend,” he said, obviously addressing the US, adding that “I will not go to America anymore. We will just be insulted there.”
Instead, China, was “good,” he said, adding that “China has never invaded a piece of my country all these generations.”
Duterte arrived in Beijing on October 18 with at least 200 top business people to pave the way for what he calls a “new commercial alliance.”
Xi told Duterte at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People that China and the Philippines were “brothers” and that the two sides could “appropriately handle disputes”, though Xi did not specifically mention the South China Sea row
According to Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin, Beijing will restore Philippine agricultural exports to China. Bank of China also agreed to provide a $3 billion credit facility for infrastructure investment in the Philippines.
Duterte clearly toned down his trademark firebrand speaking style during his China visit, very much in contrast to the language he has used with Washington, having called US President Barack Obama a “son of a bitch” and railed against US criticism of his war on drugs which has led to the deaths of 3,800 people.
His hard-line drug war tactics have raised concerns in Western capitals about extrajudicial killings, but China has expressed support.
In an interview with Al Jazeera aired on October 16, Duterte said he “doesn’t give a s**t” if he is violating human rights with his brutal war on drugs, referring to children and potentially innocent victims as collateral damage.”
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte during his meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on October 20 clearly sought closer ties with the Asian country while blasting his US allies. During a speech addressing the Filipino community in Beijing on the previous day, Duterte said the Philippines had "gained little" from its long alliance with the US, its former colonial ruler. “Your stay in my country was for your own benefit. So time to say goodbye, my friend,” he said, obviously addressing the US, adding that "I will not go to America anymore. We will just be insulted there." Instead, China,...
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte during his meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on October 20 clearly sought closer ties with the Asian country while blasting his US allies.
During a speech addressing the Filipino community in Beijing on the previous day, Duterte said the Philippines had “gained little” from its long alliance with the US, its former colonial ruler.
“Your stay in my country was for your own benefit. So time to say goodbye, my friend,” he said, obviously addressing the US, adding that “I will not go to America anymore. We will just be insulted there.”
Instead, China, was “good,” he said, adding that “China has never invaded a piece of my country all these generations.”
Duterte arrived in Beijing on October 18 with at least 200 top business people to pave the way for what he calls a “new commercial alliance.”
Xi told Duterte at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People that China and the Philippines were “brothers” and that the two sides could “appropriately handle disputes”, though Xi did not specifically mention the South China Sea row
According to Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin, Beijing will restore Philippine agricultural exports to China. Bank of China also agreed to provide a $3 billion credit facility for infrastructure investment in the Philippines.
Duterte clearly toned down his trademark firebrand speaking style during his China visit, very much in contrast to the language he has used with Washington, having called US President Barack Obama a “son of a bitch” and railed against US criticism of his war on drugs which has led to the deaths of 3,800 people.
His hard-line drug war tactics have raised concerns in Western capitals about extrajudicial killings, but China has expressed support.
In an interview with Al Jazeera aired on October 16, Duterte said he “doesn’t give a s**t” if he is violating human rights with his brutal war on drugs, referring to children and potentially innocent victims as collateral damage.”
