President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is set to embark on a visit to the People’s Republic of China to participate in the 2nd Belt and Road Forum (BRF) for International Cooperation on April 24-27, 2019.

The three-day forum shall convene 40 world leaders and heads of international organizations to discuss matters and concerns in several areas of mutual cooperation. This includes the continuation of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a major foreign policy introduced by President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China in 2013. The forum highlights the vision of global connectivity through ‘infrastructure, facilitation of free trade, financial integration, and people-to-people exchanges’.

Together with his fellow leaders, President Duterte shall participate in several thematic forums, high-level meetings, and the Leaders’ Roundtable. Several topics for discussion include policy and financial connectivity, people-to-people connectivity, think-tank exchanges, and economic and trade cooperation.

Moreover, President Duterte shall have a bilateral meeting with President Xi and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. They are expected to discuss several areas of cooperation like defense and security, economics and development, as well as regional and international issues of mutual importance. A possible signing of five (5) agreements that cover the areas of education, anti-corruption, official development assistance, and drug rehabilitation might arise after the talks.

This is the second time that President Duterte shall participate in the Belt and Road Forum. In 2017, the Chief Executive led the Philippine delegation in the forum, recommending several concrete proposals that concern generating economic growth, tackling the government’s economic challenges, and the country’s efforts in infrastructure development through the ‘Build Build Build’ program.

* * *

Activities in Beijing, People’s Republic of China

Group Photo of the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation	Welcoming Ceremony for the Leaders’ Rountable	Witnessing of the Exchange of Business Agreements
High Level Meeting Session 1 of the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation	Opening Ceremony of the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation	Bilateral Meeting with Premier Li Keqiang
Witnessing the Signing and Exchange of Agreements	Bilateral Meeting with President Xi Jinping	Arrival in Beijing, People’s Republic of China

Sidelights of Activities in Beijing, People’s Republic of China

2nd BRF International Media Center

Interview with Ambassador Jose Santiago Sta. Romana