Xi Urges Ex-President Duterte to Maintain His ‘Important’ Role in Philippine-China Ties

Chinese leader Xi Jinping (R) and then-Philippines' President Rodrigo Duterte wave to members of the media after inspecting the honor guard during a welcoming ceremony at the Malacanang Palace in Manila on Nov. 20, 2018. Ted Aljibe/AFP/Getty Images

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has urged former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to continue promoting relations between their countries amid the Philippines’ growing ties with the United States.

Mr. Duterte, whose six-year presidential term ended in June 2022, made a surprise visit to Beijing on July 17 for talks with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader. The Philippine Foreign Affairs Department said it was unaware of the visit.