People have high expectation for Duterte visit, ministry says

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Wednesday that people both in China and the Philippines are glad that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is visiting China and have high expectation for the visit.

"It is a good news for both countries, as well as for regional peace and stability that China and the Philippines are putting their relationship back on the track of normal development," she told a regular press conference in Beijing.

"I think those who really hope for peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region will welcome it," she said.

Duterte started a four-day state visit to China on Tuesday, after China-Philippine ties suffered from his predecessor Benigno Aquino's confrontational policy toward China.

Duterte told reporters in earlier interviews that he would talk more about cooperation and friendship during this trip.