The strengthening of the China-Philippines relationship has brought tangible benefits to the people of both countries, Chinese President Xi Jinping told his Philippine counterpart Rodrigo Duterte in a phone conversation on Friday.

The Chinese people are committed to their promises, Xi said, while acknowledging that the bilateral relationship has experienced ups and downs over the years. The two countries decided to upgrade their ties to a comprehensive strategic cooperation in late 2018.

Xi vowed to deepen friendship and political mutual trust with the Philippines, adding that China will continue to support the Southeast Asian country in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. 

China was the first country to deliver coronavirus vaccines to the Philippines, and remains the biggest supplier of the vaccines to the country.

Duterte congratulated the Communist Party of China (CPC) on its 100th founding anniversary and said the CPC had guided over 800 million people out of poverty over decades, which he described as a historic achievement.

Speaking about ties with China, Duterte hailed the last five years as a new era for the two countries' comprehensive strategic cooperation. The friendship between the two countries has stood up to the test of the COVID-19 pandemic, he added, referring to the assistance China has provided.

The Philippine president also said he hopes to deepen cooperation with China in fields including infrastructure and agriculture.