Here's what Xi Jinping discussed with various leaders at the sidelines of the Boao forum

The group photo will get more and more crowded in future Boao forums.

Jonathan Lim | April 11, 2018, 10:55 PM

Quite a number of Asian and international leaders were in China this week, for what is touted as the "Davos of Asia" - the Boao Forum.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, Mongolian Prime Minister Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi,  and Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte attended this year's forum at the invitation of China.

The leaders of international organisations - United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and the International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde were also in attendance.

The forum is increasingly gaining prestige, and it has recently elected former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as the new chairman of the forum.

Most observers were focused on Chinese President Xi Jinping's highly anticipated speech at the forum, for it was his first public speech against a backdrop of escalating trade tensions with the United States.

President Xi's remarks on trade did calm tensions and an important individual.

But what was perhaps missed was how the leaders present took the opportunity to speak to the leader of the world's second largest economy.

And here's what was discussed between President Xi and leaders from various countries:

Singapore

PM Lee and Xi reaffirmed the "special and forward-looking relationship between the two countries."

Xi planned to upgrade the Sino-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City to a state-level project. He also said that both countries should enhance cooperation under the Belt & Road Initiative.

Xi also said that Lee's attendance at the forum shows the importance Singapore attaches to Singapore-China relations. He also said that Singapore-China relations is closely related to China's reform and opening-up policy.

The Philippines

Duterte met with Xi to discuss issues regarding to trade and before he left for China, he said that he would bring up territorial issues in the South China Sea only when necessary.

Elaborating, Duterte said, "I am into business. I am not going into war. We can postpone that war 100 years from now. In the meantime, I need the resources for my country to make the people comfortable and provide education for the children and food on the table." 

He added, "I simply love Xi Jinping. He understood, he understands my problem and is willing to help, so I would say thank you China."

Xi and Duterte signed six bilateral agreements on the sidelines of Boao including economic and technical cooperation between the two countries.

A spokesperson for Duterte also said that Xi had pledged RMB500 million (S$104 million) in assistance to the Philippines.

 

Mongolia

Khurelsukh and Xi reaffirmed both country's relations and Xi said that both countries should respect each other's core interests - which included the One-China policy.

Khurelsukh was reported by various Chinese media to have said that he agreed that Tibet and Taiwan was part of China and issues concerning them were China's internal affairs.

Xi said that China would like to jointly build the Belt & Road together with Mongolia.

Pakistan

Xi told the Pakistani PM that China and Pakistan should build the Belt & Road together.

Xi noted that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor should continue to be built by both sides and cooperation in areas like infrastructure, energy and industrial parks should be enhanced.

Both leaders reiterated their respect for both nation's core interests.

Netherlands

Both leaders called for free and open trade. Xi called for further collaboration between China and the Netherlands to ensure this and to safeguard the open multilateral trade system.

Xi also asked for Netherlands play a constructive role in the EU to promote good EU-China relations.

 

Top image from Lee Hsien Loong Facebook