China and the Philippines commit to long-term friendly ties

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01:17

Chinese President Xi Jinping calls on efforts for a good and friendly neighboring relationship between China and the Philippines during a meeting with his Philippine counterpart Rodrigo Duterte in Beijing on Thursday.

Duterte will attend the second Belt and Road forum that starts from Friday to Saturday in the capital city.

Xi said China-Philippine relations have entered a new era, and it has been proven that good-neighborliness and friendship is the only right choice for China and the Philippines.

The two countries should properly settle disputes and strengthen maritime cooperation, and China hopes the Philippine government could steer in the right direction and further promote bilateral ties, he added.

China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative fits in President Duterte proposed "Build, Build, Build," strategy and the two countries should further promote cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, Xi said.

Last year, the Duterte government launched a 180 billion U.S.-dollar infrastructure spending project to boost the country's economy.

On his part, Duterte said he is here for peace and development, and China is Philippine's long-term friend. He said his government is willing to work with China and friendly cooperation will always be the mainstream in the bilateral ties. The Philippines will uphold the independent foreign policy, he stressed, adding that it wants to settle the maritime disputes properly.

Duterte said the Philippines has high confidence in the Belt and Road Initiative and hopes to take the opportunity to promote more cooperation with China.

The two leaders also witnessed the signing of a series of deals.