China calls for a stable, healthy relationship with Philippines during diplomatic consultations

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong called for a stable and healthy bilateral relationship with the Philippines, highlighting that friendly and cooperative ties have historically been the mainstream in China-Philippines relations.

Sun and Leo Herrera-Lim, undersecretary of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, co-chaired the 24th round of China-Philippines Foreign Ministry Consultations on Saturday in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. 

During the talks, Sun noted that a steady and constructive relationship serves the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples. China values the Philippines' desire to stabilize relations and strengthen dialogue and hopes the Philippines will take practical steps to create the necessary conditions and atmosphere for improving and stabilizing bilateral ties, he added.

Herrera-Lim said the Philippines is committed to continuing the diplomatic dialogue, deepening mutual understanding and trust, properly managing differences, and promoting steady and positive development in bilateral relations.

He also reaffirmed the spirit of the 1975 China-Philippines Joint Communique as the cornerstone of bilateral ties, reiterated the Philippines' adherence to the one-China policy, and acknowledged that the Taiwan question is China's internal affair and that Taiwan is not a "sovereign state."

Both sides spoke positively about China-ASEAN relations, noting that the current regional environment is complex and dynamic. They pledged to strengthen communication and coordination, advance East Asian cooperation and jointly safeguard regional stability and development.