BEIJING”•China on Thursday voiced support for the Philippine government’s crackdown on drug-related crimes despite criticism from some countries and human rights groups of the drug-related killings in the Southeast Asian country.
“We understand and support the Philippine government under Duterte’s administration in cracking down on drug-related crimes as its policy,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters.
He said drugs were the shared enemy of mankind, and cracking down on drug-related crimes was the shared responsibility of all countries.
He said the Chinese government had always been committed to combating drug-related crime and had made remarkable achievements. China was also a main force in fighting drug crimes globally.
Geng said China was ready to join the Philippines in fighting drugs and planning for more cooperation.
Duterte is set to visit China and meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang on Oct. 19 to 21 to fulfill Duterte’s promise to strengthen the commercial ties between the Philippines and China.
A meeting with Xi Jinping is expected to set the direction for the revival of warm relations between the two countries after Duterte appointed former President Fidel Ramos as special presidential envoy.
Duterte is expected to seek China’s cooperation in his fight against illegal drugs, a war that has alarmed the international community for its brutality. He has always said that the drug lords running the drug syndicates in the Philippines are based in China.
Duterte also said he would be turning to China for trade and economic assistance and infrastructure development.
He vowed to lead the Philippines away from the United States after President Barack Obama underscored the importance of respect for human rights and due process following Duterte’s crackdown on illegal drugs.