Chinese President Xi Jinping has held talks with former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in Beijing. The move comes as the Philippines' current president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has been strengthening relations with the United States.

China's Foreign Ministry announced that the meeting was held on Monday.

It said Xi noted that Duterte made a strategic choice to improve relations with China during his tenure as president. The ministry also said Xi praised Duterte for contributing to putting relations back on track.

Duterte is reported to have said that he is willing to continue to play a role in the promotion of bilateral ties.

The former president took a conciliatory stance toward China. He also placed importance on strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries.

But bilateral relations have soured since President Marcos Jr. took office last year, as he is seeking closer ties to Washington.

The Philippine government granted the US access to its military bases in February. Among the sites made available are those facing Taiwan and the South China Sea.