Duterte: I love Xi Jinping, need China more than anybody else

For being a ready hand to the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte said Monday that he loves Chinese President Xi Jinping because the latter understands his problems and is always willing to help.

“I just simply love Xi Jinping. He understood, he understands my problem and he is willing to help,” Duterte said in a press conference in Davao before leaving country to China to attend the Boao Forum for Asia.

Asked by a Chinese reporter on the relationship between the Philippines and China, the President said it will bloom into something big and beautiful like a flower.

He also believes China is an important factor in the country’s Build, Build, Build plan.

“Of course, China is a very important ingredient there. You factor almost everything from a hard start. But… money, but of course it would not really be enough. Every day the cost of money goes up, that’s the problem. So, you may have a pricing today far different from last week,” he said.

“So, I would say, I need China. More than anybody else at this time of our national life, I need China. I will not say something which is not true,” he said.

Duterte said China will give another 500 million for Marawi. He, however, did not mention the currency.

“I am not supposed to announce it but nakita ko na they are about to give us another 500 million that’s quite a lot, additional for the Marawi and I’m happy for the Maranaos,” he said. —NB, GMA News