China will first consider the Philippines' request for access to successful coronavirus vaccines, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said in a daily briefing on Tuesday. 

"Since the COVID-19 outbreak, China and the Philippines have been helping and supporting each other in the efforts to fight the pandemic, attesting to the mutual cooperation that has brought out a new highlight in bilateral relations," said Wang. "We are willing to give priority to the vaccine request made by China's friendly neighbor the Philippines."

In an annual address to his country on Monday, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte said he has asked China for help in securing the supply of coronavirus vaccines.

"I made a plea to Chinese President Xi Jinping that if they have the vaccine, can they allow us to be one of the first? Or if it is needed, if we have to buy it, that we will be granted credit so that we will normalize as fast as possible," said Duterte on Monday. He also said that his government's coronavirus response is far from perfect.

Apart from stating his will to seek China's help for vaccines, Duterte also reiterated his country's position on the South China Sea.

He said the Philippines will not stand against China on South China Sea issues, stating that the country will not pick a side between China and the U.S. Duterte has refused the U.S.'s request to use the military base in the Philippines.

Wang, in Tuesday's regular briefing, hailed Duterte's remarks, adding that the claim made by Duterte serves the interests of the Philippines and is also beneficial to regional peace and stability.

China agrees to handle the issue properly and is ready to contribute to regional peace and stability with the Philippines and other countries in the region, added Wang.