Duterte says only China can help the Philippines

President Duterte mentioned his Chinese roots today when he visited Beijing and said that only China can help the Philippines.

President Duterte said only China can help the Philippines. Photo: Reuters.

"My grandfather is Chinese. Only China can help us," Mr. Duterte told Xinhua news agency ahead of a four-day visit to Beijing, starting today.

The Philippine president said all he needed to do was talk and get a firm handshake from Chinese officials. "I would say we Filipinos are ready to work with you, help us build our economy and our country."

The 71-year-old leader said he had big infrastructure plans but lacked funds. Duterte wanted to be part of China's "bigger plan" for the whole of Asia, especially Southeast Asia, by getting support from Beijing.

Duterte also promised not to mention the dispute between the two countries over sovereignty. "I want to talk about friendship, cooperation, business. That is better than talking about war, it will not take us anywhere," the Philippine president said.

The Philippine leader said talks could take place without any intermediaries hostile to China - a reference to the US and Japan.

In an interview with Hong Kong's Phoenix TV, Duterte said the Philippines would not hold more joint military exercises with the United States, which has supplied most of its military equipment and has several bases in the Philippines. Instead, he left open the possibility of joint exercises with China and Russia.

The Philippine president has said he will lean toward China if the US and Western attitudes toward his administration do not change.

"Some countries know we are short of money, but instead of helping, all they do is criticize. China never criticizes, they quietly help us," Mr. Duterte said.

According to VNE