Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte will once again visit China after his historic visit to the country in October last year. This time, the Filipino leader would be coming to China to attend a multilateral summit that will be held in May.

China's foreign ministry announced Duterte's upcoming visit on Tuesday after the Philippine President met with China's Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin in Manila.

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"I will come to Beijing in May to attend the One Belt, One Road international cooperation summit forum, and I look forward to meeting President Xi Jinping again," the ministry quoted Duterte saying.

Duterte's second visit to China marks a stunning U-turn in the Philippine's foreign policy. The foreign policy overhaul comes just a few months after the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) nullified China's historical claim over territories in the South China Sea.

The Philippines foreign ministry has not confirmed Duterte's visit. The ministry told media that it cannot confirm as none of its officials were present at the meeting.

The Chinese government has also not released much detail about the One Belt, One Road summit, but sources claim that the government may invite many foreign leaders to attend the multilateral summit.

Last year, Duterte said that he is keen to make the Philippines part of China's One Belt, One Road project. Dubbed as the 21st-century Maritime Silk Road, the project compromises of massive infrastructure ventures stretching across 60 countries.

These massive infrastructure projects include roads and bridges that will eventually connect China with Central Asia, Eurasia and beyond.   

TagsRodrigo Duterte, Duterte China, Philippines And China, china, Philippines