Philippines: Duterte welcomes Shinzo Abe to Malacanang presidential palace

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte greeted Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila on Thursday afternoon.
The Japanese President was welcomed with a full ceremony complete with music and school children waving Japanese flags and soldiers' salutes.
In a meeting with officials of the Philippine government and Japanese delegates, the Philippine president welcomed Abe to Manila as the first head of government to visit the country under the present administration. He said that the visit showed the continued strengthening of the two countries' strategic partnership.
Abe thanked Duterte and said he looked forward to working together. He said, "This also demonstrates the huge commitment to further strengthen our important and valued strategic partnership."
Abe and Duerte will engage in discussions over infrastructure development, maritime cooperation, drug rehabilitation, development projects and counter terrorism.
The Japanese prime minister is on a two day visit to the Philippines and is accompanied by his wife, First Lady Akie Abe.
He will fly to Davao City in the evening. During his stay in Manila and Davao, he will also speak with local business leaders and politicians.