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Philippines' Duterte to make state visits to Cambodia, Singapore

Xinhua, December 9, 2016 Adjust font size:

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will make state visits to Cambodia and Singapore next week, a government spokesman announced on Friday.

In a news conference at the presidential palace, Foreign Assistant Secretary Charles Jose said Duterte will visit Cambodia on Dec. 13 and 14, and Singapore on Dec. 15 to 16.

"Both trips form part of a series of the president's introductory visits to neighboring Asian countries," Jose said.

Jose said Duterte is expected to have bilateral talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in Phnom Penh where they are expected to discuss issues of mutual concern including defense and security relations and bilateral trade.

In Singapore, he said Duterte will also have bilateral talks with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Duterte and Lee are expected "to discuss ways to further increase the levels of two-way trade and investments, strengthen defense and security cooperation, including counter-terrorism and war on drugs," Jose said.

Duterte is also expected to discuss with the two Southeast Asian leaders the Philippines ASEAN chairmanship next year, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Aside from Cambodia, the Philippines and Singapore, ASEAN also groups Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Endit