Chinese President Xi Jinping committed more than 9 billion dollars in loans for development projects at his meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippine presidential communications Office announced on Thursday, according to dpa. Of that, 15 million dollars will be earmarked for drug rehabilitation programmes in Duterte's domestic war on drugs, the office said. Xi on Thursday voiced support for the new Philippine government's war on drugs, terrorism and crime, the Xinhua news agency reported. In addition to the Chinese government's commitment, Chinese tycoon Huang Rulun is funding a "mega" rehabilitation centre for thousands of drug users who surrender to police, Xinhua reported last week. Duterte has accused US officials of "insulting" all Filipinos when they criticize him for his aggressive war against illegal drugs, which has seen police operations leave more than 1,500 suspects dead. The US, EU, UN and human rights groups have criticized the drug war for a wave of extrajudicial killings and vigilantism. "All they had to do was just to criticize," Duterte told Xinhua. "China never criticizes. They help us quietly. And I said that's why it's part of the sincerity of the people." Duterte told Xi his visit was of great significance. "This is springtime in our relationship," he told Xi. "There are many areas in which we can cooperate." In an apparent turn towards China, Duterte said on Wednesday it was "time to say goodbye" to the United States. The US said it would seek an explanation of Duterte's comments about a "separation" from the United States and was "baffled" by the rhetoric. The statements were "inexplicably at odds with the very close relationship that we have with the Filipino people, as well as the government there, on many different levels, not just from a security perspective," State Department spokesman John Kirby said, noting no formal action had been taken by the Philippines to alter its alliance with the US. Meanwhile Xi said Duterte's handshake was "warm and firm." "Before this visit, you had told the Chinese media that 'I will talk with friendship, extending my hands in brotherhood', and today, I shook hands with you with similar feelings," Xi was quoted as saying. Calling their countries "neighbours across the sea," Xi expressed China's readiness to assist the Philippines with infrastructure construction under the auspices of China's Belt and Road initiative, news agency Xinhua reported. Xi was speaking of a Chinese initiative, also known as the New Silk Road, which aims to enhance China's infrastructure links with Asia, Europe and Africa. One focus is transport options through the South China Sea. China will also encourage Chinese businesses to invest more in the Philippines to help the country's economic growth, the Chinese president said. About 450 entrepreneurs from the Philippines and a large delegation of Chinese counterparts will meet at a business forum on Thursday, the Global Times reported. Managing differences related to the South China Sea is the foundation for healthy and stable growth of relations, Xi told Duterte. "As long as both countries adhere to friendly dialogue and consultation, China and the Philippines can have candid exchanges on everything, manage differences well, carry out cooperation and shelve problems that are difficult to agree on, for a while," Xi was quoted as saying by Xinhua. The visit raised "a fine opportunity" to begin candid talks about the South China Sea, a Xinhua commentary noted on Thursday. "A proper handling of their maritime dispute, especially after the law-abusing arbitration episode that led bilateral ties to fall to a historical low, would build a solid foundation for the two countries to further their future cooperation without worrying that the island spats could relapse as time rolls on." On July 12, in a case brought by the Philippines, an international arbitration court in The Hague ruled that Beijing had no legal right to claim a large swathe of the South China Sea China did not participate in the arbitration case and rejected the decision as "null and void".
