MANILA — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is scheduled to visit China this week, and will meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang confirmed the Oct. 18-21 trip saying the two sides would have a “deep exchange of views” on how to improve relations, cooperation and regional issues, Reuters reported.

The visit comes at a time when Manila and Washington’s relations are strained after several outbursts from Duterte since taking office in June.

Accompanying Duterte to Beijing will be around 250 Philippines business executives, according to Reuters.

“China looks forward to increasing mutual trust between the two countries, deepening practical cooperation and continuing the tradition of friendship via the visit of President Duterte,” Geng said during a press briefing.

Duterte has been criticized by many world leaders and organizations, including the U.S., for his deadly war on drugs and support for extrajudicial killings.

The Philippines president also said that he will probably visit Russia after a trip to Japan later this month, Reuters reported.