Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping met Philippine President of Senate Vicente Sotto III and Speaker of the House of Representatives Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Wednesday in Manila.

President Xi commended their efforts to promote ties between China and the Philippines and highlighted the legislative exchange between the two countries, which he said was an important part of their bilateral ties.

The two sides should learn from each other in terms of governance and promote more exchanges in education, culture and tourism, he noted.

Sotto and Arroyo said China is one of their country's most important partners, and noted that President Xi and his Philippine counterpart Rodrigo Duterte have agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic cooperation. They hoped the two countries could deepen cooperation in trade and investment, infrastructure and people-to-people exchanges. 

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China, Philippines agree to engage in comprehensive, strategic cooperation