Beijing Capital International Airport, PRC
May 13, 2017

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte arrived at 11:20 PM onboard a Philippine Airlines’ chartered flight PR001 at the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, People’s Republic of China after his working visit in Hong Kong.

Chinese Councelor He Rulong welcomed the President together with Madame Cielito Avanceña. Greeting them at the airport tarmac were Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua and Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana.

From the airport, the President went straight to Grand Hyatt Beijing, which will serve as his official residence during his participation in the two-day Belt and Road Forum (BRF) for International Cooperation, hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The invitation came straight from the Chinese President during President Duterte’s state visit last October 2016. Also joining him are 27 other invited state leaders who are mostly members of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

During his stay, the President is expected to hold expanded bilateral meetings with President Xi Jin Ping, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Mongolian Prime Minister Jargaltulgyn Erdenebat and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Moreover, the President is also expected to meet with several Chinese investors during his second day in Beijing.

The Belt and Road Forum or One Belt, One Road Initiative was formally launched by President Xi Jinping in 2013 with hopes to revive the ancient Silk Road route in the 16th and 18th century that connected Asia, Europe and Africa. The Chinese President proposed this initiative as a move to strengthen economic cooperation among ASEAN state members as well as expand markets worldwide.

*  *  *