AKIPRESS.COM - President Rodrigo Duterte has declared the Philippines' "separation" from long-standing ally the United States during a visit in Beijing as he re-balances his country's diplomacy towards China, according to Al Jazeera.

Duterte's comments came after he met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Thursday. The two also pledged to enhance trust and friendship and played down a maritime dispute in the South China Sea.

"I announce my separation from the United States, both in military but economics also," Duterte announced at a meeting of Filipino and Chinese businessmen in Beijing.

"America has lost it," Duterte was quoted as saying in a transcript of his speech by the Philippine Presidential Communications Office on Friday morning.

"I mean, I realigned myself in your ideological flow and maybe I will also go to Russia to talk to Putin and tell him that there are three of us against the world: China, Philippines and Russia."

Duterte is in China on a four-day trip seen as confirming his tilt away from Washington and towards Beijing's sphere of influence – and its deep pockets.

Xi called the two countries "neighbors across the sea" with "no reason for hostility or confrontation".

The two leaders held "extensive" and "amicable" official talks and oversaw the signing of 13 bilateral deals, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.

Philippine Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said his country and China will sign $13.5 billion in deals this week.

Richard Javad Heydarian, a political analyst, said by declaring a strong alliance with China, Duterte is going against the Filipino people's inclination towards the U.S.

"A survey just came out yesterday, which says that the U.S. enjoys a plus 66 net approval rating. China has a negative 31 favorability rating," Heydarian said.

He also said the Philippine military is "very predisposed towards the United States, while very critical towards China."

Since 1951, the Philippines has maintained a defense treaty with the U.S., which pledges that both countries would come to each other's defense in case of an armed attack.

The White House said on Thursday the Philippine government has not officially asked to end any security or economic ties between the U.S. and Manila.