Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte assured Japanese business leaders Wednesday that his country's increased engagement with China is limited to economics.
In spontaneous remarks made after delivering a prepared speech at the Philippine Economic Forum on the second day of his three-day visit, Duterte said there were no talks "about arms," about "stationing of troops," and "alliances, military or otherwise" when he visited China to meet with his counterpart Xi Jinping and other leaders last week.
"What happened really there was just a few platforms where investments could come in," said Duterte, who has caused concerns in some quarters by embracing China and rejecting the United States after the longtime ally criticized his bloody anti-drugs campaign.