MANILA — When the Philippines’ President Rodrigo Duterte visited Beijing

in 2016, he described it as the “springtime” of the country’s relationship with

China. Two years later and China’s President Xi Jinping is setting foot in the
Philippines in a bid to deepen their cooperation.

“I am visiting this time mainly to have in-depth discussions with President

Duterte on how to elevate our all-around cooperation under new
circumstances,” Xi said in an article published in local newspapers Monday, a
day before his two-day state visit.

Among the areas the Chinese president wishes to focus on is the realization of
the Belt and Road Initiative, which speaks to China’s ambitious foreign and
economic policy by linking Asia and Europe. The initiative is expected to open
trade routes and investment opportunities for countries taking part, not least
China.

The initiative is currently heavily invested in infrastructure, making it an

attractive proposition for the Philippine government and prompting much
speculation about the agreements that might be signed during the visit to
speed up Chinese-funded infrastructure projects in the country.

Details on the funding situation are scant. The Philippine administration said
it had secured as much as $9 billion in loan commitments from China during
Duterte’s visit there.

“Japan and China are clearly key players in a new 'Asian

Game of Thrones' playing out in the Philippines. What is
important is that the Filipino people do not end up the losers.”