Full coverage: China’s Leaders

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. It's Duterte's first state visit outside southeast Asia since taking office in June. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) holds a welcome ceremony for visiting Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (R) before their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 20, 2016. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Bilateral relations have faced ups and downs over the past few years. A recent maritime dispute over the South China Sea has resulted in Chinese sanctions that restrict tourism, investment and trade.

Earlier this year, an arbitration tribunal in the Hague broke with international custom and supported the former Philippine government's disputed claims. Beijing refused to accept the illegal trial.

Now, both leaders have agreed to sit down to write a new chapter.

"(I) hope (we) can follow the wishes of the people from the standpoint of mutually essential and common interests, and use this visit as an opportunity to push China-Philippines relations back on friendly footing and improve the relationship in all aspects," President Xi said.

Duterte is accompanied by over 400 business elite and government officials.

The Philippines' new administration has issued a 10-point socio-economic agenda aimed at improving the business climate and boosting development.

The two leaders presided over the signing of a number of deals. These cover the areas of fishery cooperation, tourism, infrastructure development, and the removal of import bans on certain Philippine products, to name a few.

Duterte also held talks with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. Li stressed that the South China Sea issue should not dominate relations between China and the Philippines, and that common interests should outweigh differences that exist between the two countries.