MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. arrived in China Tuesday evening for a three-day state visit as he hopes to strengthen cooperation with Asia’s major economic power.

PR 001 carrying President Marcos and the members of his delegation touched down at the Beijing Capital International Airport at 6:10 p.m.

Prior to flying to China, the President, in a departure briefing, said he is eyeing to foster meaningful relations with the country's Asian neighbor and broaden cooperation in various areas such as agriculture, energy, infrastructure, science and technology, trade and investment, and people-to-people exchanges.

He and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to discuss bilateral and regional political-security issues in a bid to thresh out any differences in a friendly manner.

Several key bilateral agreements are expected to be signed during President Marcos’ visit, in addition to over 100 agreements already forged by the country with China.

There will also be an opportunity for the chief executive to strengthen vibrant trade and investment relations with China as the Philippines accelerates the post-pandemic growth of its economy.

He also promised to continue pursuing initiatives in priority areas to ensure food security, sufficient and stable energy, as well as programs on sustainable digital economy.

Aside from enhancing trade and commerce, the President hopes to encourage Chinese tourists, students, and investors to return to the Philippines as the country opens its doors in the new normal.

The President’s trip to China will be his first bilateral visit to a non-ASEAN country.

In 1976, he accompanied his mother, former First Lady Imelda Marcos, on a similar journey, as she laid the groundwork for the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries forged by former President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos one year prior. (PND)