The Latest: China's Xi hails 'milestone' visit by Duterte

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, left, listens to Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016. China and the Philippines have agreed to resume a dialogue on their dispute over the South China Sea, a senior Chinese diplomat said Thursday following talks between the countries' leaders. (Wu Hong/Pool Photo via AP) (The Associated Press)

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, left, poses with Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, prior to a meeting at the Great Hall of the Peopleat the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016. China and the Philippines have agreed to resume a dialogue on their dispute over the South China Sea, a senior Chinese diplomat said Thursday following talks between the countries' leaders. (Wu Hong/Pool Photo via AP) (The Associated Press)

BEIJING – The Latest on Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's meetings with top officials in China as part of a charm offensive (all times local):

12:30 pm

Chinese President Xi Jinping, in meeting with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, remarked that this was the first meeting between the two leaders since ties began improving following Duterte's election.

Xi says: "This truly has milestone significance for China-Philippine relations."

In a reference to recent territorial tensions in the South China Sea, Xi said that "although we have weathered storms, the basis of our friendship and our desire for cooperation has not changed."

Xi also extended his sympathies to Duterte over the destruction caused by Typhoon Haima, which has killed at least four people in the northern Philippines.

The two leaders are due to oversee the signing of a raft of agreements between their governments following their discussions.