Xi hails good neighborly relations with Philippines

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03:59

China and the Philippines agreed on Tuesday to upgrade their relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

The decision was made during talks between visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Philippine counterpart Rodrigo Duterte.

China and the Philippines are close neighbors, Xi said, stressing the only viable choice for the two sides is strengthening good neighborly relations and win-win cooperation.

The Chinese president encouraged the two nations to promote exchanges at all levels and enhance strategic mutual trust.

China supports the Philippines in taking a development path that suits its national conditions, Xi said, reiterating China's firm support for the Philippines' anti-drug and anti-terrorism process.

As for the South China Sea, Xi said China and the Philippines have common interests.

President Xi urged the two countries to continuously manage differences through friendly consultations, further promote pragmatic cooperation, and make contributions to regional peace and stability.

During the talks, Duterte described Xi's visit as a milestone and a sign of a new chapter in bilateral ties.

Duterte also complimented China in its great achievements over 40 years of reform and opening up.

The Philippine side is willing to expand cooperation with China in areas such as trade, investment, agriculture, defense, sanitation, and drug control, Duterte said.

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Duterte added the Philippines is willing to actively promote the development of relations between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China.

The Philippine side is willing to closely communicate and coordinate with China in a multilateral framework such as the UN, Duterte said.

In the afternoon, President Xi also laid a wreath at the Rizal Park in Manila to honor the Philippines' national hero Jose Rizal, the forerunner of the country's independence movement.