President Rodrigo Duterte has promised his Chinese counterpart that he will align his foreign policy toward China-led Asian economic development, further reinforcing his shift toward China amid his hostile stance toward the U.S.

Duterte met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Apec summit in the Peruvian capital of Lima. He also talked to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, whom he has called his political idol.

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Duterte first met Xi in a state visit to Beijing last month, where their governments forged mostly trade and economic accords. They also discussed longstanding territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

After the China trip, Filipinos went back fishing in the disputed Scarborough Shoal, which Chinese coast guard vessels have guarded since seizing the rich fishing area in 2012.

In their meeting in Lima, Duterte told Xi that “we will cooperate with you.”

He added: “With my thrust of an independent foreign policy, we will find ourselves mutually agreeing in so many things and align our foreign policy towards the development of Asia, strengthening of ties among the countries in the region, with China leading the way in the economic development.” CBB

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