BEIJING, China – Chinese President Xi Jinping has accepted President Rodrigo Duterte’s invitation to visit the Philippines. 

According to a joint statement released by their two countries, Duterte invited Xi to come to the Philippines “at a convenient time.” 

“President Xi Jinping accepted the invitation with pleasure,” reads the statement released on Friday, October 21.

The invitation was made during Duterte’s 4-day state visit to China where he was given a red carpet welcome and where the Philippines and China signed 13 government deals.

During the visit, some $24 billion worth of private deals were also signed, according to Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

The last time Xi was in the Philippines was during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit held in Manila in November 2015.

Chinese officials are also set to visit the Philippines in 2017 when it hosts the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Related Summits in 2017. – Rappler.com