Xi, Duterte discuss ties, regional cooperation over phone

Beijing May 3 (IANS) Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Philippines counterpart Rodrigo Duterte discussed bilateral ties and regional cooperation in a telephone conversation on Wednesday.

Xi said he met Duterte twice last year and reached important agreements with him.

At present the two countries are deepening political mutual trust and carrying out cooperation in various fields the Chinese President was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying.

A channel of dialogue and consultation on the South China Sea issue has also been set up Xi added.

For his part Duterte said he was happy to see Philippines-China friendship and solidarity enhanced and their exchanges as well as cooperation in various areas pushed forward.

The two leaders also exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

--IANS
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