China, Philippines to strengthen high-level exchanges for stable, closer ties

SINGAPORE, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) – China and the Philippines agreed on Aug. 2 to strengthen high-level exchanges so as to further promote the stable development of bilateral ties and cooperation.

The consensus was reached by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Philippine Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano during their meeting on the sidelines of the foreign ministers’ meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Wang noted that political mutual trust between China and the Philippines has been strengthened and bilateral cooperation in all fields has been pushing forward in an orderly way in recent years.

China is willing to increase bilateral high-level exchanges to facilitate candid communication, strengthen joint planning to further expand bilateral cooperation in all fields so as to achieve common development and prosperity, he said.

China hopes that the two sides will earnestly implement the important consensus reached by their leaders and properly handle sensitive issues to create a sound environment for the continuous and stable development of bilateral ties, the Chinese top diplomat said.

As the Philippines has assumed the role of ASEAN-China country coordinator, China will strengthen coordination with the Philippines to promote China-ASEAN ties and regional cooperation, Wang said.

For his part, Cayetano said bilateral cooperation on major joint projects has made positive progress and the Philippines hopes to further promote bilateral ties.

The Philippines appreciates the important role China plays in safeguarding regional peace and stability. As the new coordinator of ASEAN-China dialogue relations, the Philippines will make positive efforts to advance ASEAN-China cooperation, he said.