Duterte Heads to Beijing Looking for Chinese Business Deals
- Wants to warm China relationship, not clash over disputed sea
- Will take a delegation of 400 business leaders to Beijing
Duterte Looks to Bolster Ties on China Trip
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Before he was elected president, Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte promised to use a jet ski to reclaim a disputed reef seized by China. Since taking office in June, he has extended the hand of friendship.
The tough-talking Duterte will bring up to 400 business leaders including some of the Philippines’s wealthiest tycoons on a four-day visit to Beijing starting on Tuesday. In doing so, he’ll become the first Philippine leader invited to the capital by Chinese President Xi Jinping for one-on-one talks.