MANILA—President Rodrigo Duterte met his former economic adviser Michael Yang in Beijing, China Thursday, according to Sen. Bong Go.

"Private lunch lang with delegation and friends," Go said when asked about the meeting, adding Yang didn't host the lunch.

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua also attended the private lunch, Go added.

Yang was previously linked to drug trafficking by former police official Eduardo Acierto, who once headed the now-defunct police Anti-Illegal Drugs Group.

The allegation was both denied by Malacañang and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

In October 2018, Duterte also cleared Yang of any involvement in the illegal drug trade and had said that Zhao also vouched for the businessman's integrity.

Go had said that Yang and Duterte are long-time friends.

Yang's term as an economic adviser to the president ended on Dec. 31, 2018.