China warns Philippines against military blocs, promises more investment
- Xi Jinping tells Rodrigo Duterte that regional armed alliances are not the path to regional security
- Call comes as Duterte prepares to step down from office and US steps up engagement with Asia
In a phone call on Friday afternoon, Xi also pledged more Chinese investment in the Philippines and purchases of goods from the country.
“International developments prove once again that regional security cannot be achieved by strengthening military alliances and China is willing to work with the Philippines and countries in the region … to keep the leadership of regional security firmly in its own hands and to jointly maintain the hard-won peace and stability in the region,” Xi said in an apparent reference to the war in Ukraine.
He said China would maintain “continuity and consistency” in its policy towards the Philippines and the two sides should continue to work together on Covid-19 vaccine development, public health, infrastructure and trade.
In response, Duterte said the Philippines was willing to work with China on pandemic prevention, trade, infrastructure and tourism, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement.
His country would work with China to “properly deal with South China Sea issues to set an example for peaceful resolution of disputes while maintaining regional peace and stability”, Duterte said.