Pacts signed to reinforce cooperation

Xi pledged that China will import more goods from the Philippines, saying that Philippine coconuts and frozen fruits have been approved for export to China.

"As fellow developing countries in Asia, China and the Philippines face similar developmental challenges, which make us natural partners with a common destiny," Xi said.

It is the only right choice for China and the Philippines, which have a history of nearly a thousand years of exchanges, to be friendly neighbors and strive for win-win cooperation, Xi said.

Xi said that he has invited Duterte to attend the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which will be held in Beijing in April.

Hailing Xi’s visit an important milestone for Philippines-China relations, Duterte said that it will open a new chapter in the development of bilateral ties.

"I am pleased with the current positive momentum of Philippines-China relations," Duterte said.

The Philippines would like to deepen its comprehensive strategic cooperative relationship with China on the basis of mutual respect, mutual understanding and equal sovereignty, he said, adding that the two countries should enhance cooperation in such areas as trade, investment, agriculture, defense, health, infrastructure and energy.

"We discussed mutual concerns on defense, security, maritime cooperation, law enforcement, transnational crime as well as strengthening our partnership in combating the trafficking of illegal drugs," he said.