Philippine President Duterte announces 'separation' from United States

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte (L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands after a signing ceremony held in Beijing, China October 20, 2016. REUTERS/Ng Han Guan/Pool

BEIJING (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Thursday he was announcing his "separation" from the United States. Duterte made the comment at a business forum in the presence of Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli at Beijing's Great Hall of the People during a four-day state visit to China. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Writing by Michael Martina; Editing by Robert Birsel)