Xi's visits this week to facilitate Asia-Pacific cooperation: officials

Senior Chinese officials expect that President Xi Jinping's upcoming overseas visits this week will facilitate Asia-Pacific cooperation and intensify bilateral relations.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay state visits to Papua New Guinea, Brunei and the Philippines from November 15th to 21st.

File photo of Chinese President Xi Jinping. [Photo: Xinhua]

During his time in Papua New Guinea, Xi Jinping will meet with leaders from eight Pacific Island countries that have established diplomatic ties with China.

He will also deliver a speech to expound on China's policies toward the Pacific island countries, and announce major cooperation measures to support their development.

Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang says Xi Jinping's visit will cement the friendship between China and developing countries.

"This will be the first visit by China's head of state to Papua New Guinea, and also President Xi's second meeting in four years with leaders of the Pacific island countries that have established diplomatic ties with China. It is of great guiding significance in deepening China's relations with Papua New Guinea and other Pacific island countries that have diplomatic ties with China," says Zheng.

Xi Jinping will also attend the 26th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting from Saturday to Sunday in Port Moresby.

The meeting will see APEC leaders discuss topics such as regional economic integration, the digital economy, connectivity, sustainable and inclusive growth.

The Chinese president will deliver a keynote speech at the APEC CEO summit, and give an important speech at the informal meeting of leaders.

After his time in Papua New Guinea, the president will pay his first state visits to Brunei and the Philippines.

Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou says the president will meet with the Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

"During his visit to Brunei, President Xi will hold talks and conduct in-depth exchange of views with Sultan Hassanal in regards to the regional and global issues of common concern to the two countries. The two leaders will also comprehensively deploy and plan mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries in various fields. To reflect the important consensus and fruits to be reached by the two leaders, the two sides have planned to release a joint declaration during the visit. Relevant departments on both sides are currently consulting each other on cooperation documents concerning such fields as jointly building the Belt and Road, people-to-people and cultural exchanges," says Kong.

Kong Xuanyou adds that Xi Jinping's visit to the Philippines is expected to upgrade bilateral ties to a new level.

"During the visit, President Xi will hold talks with President Duterte, meet Senate President Sotto and Speaker of the House of Representatives Arroyo. The leaders of the two countries will make a new strategic plan for the development of China-Philippines ties, comprehensively enhance pragmatic cooperation in various fields to higher level, and conduct in-depth exchange of views on regional and global issues of common concern to the two countries," says Kong.

A joint statement is also going to be announced, as the two sides are preparing cooperation documents on trade, infrastructure and people-to-people exchanges.