China-Philippines Cooperation: FMs vow to finish South China Sea COC negotiation by 2021

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02:28

China and the Philippines turn a new page in their relations. With negotiations of the Code of Conduct at the South China Sea set for completion by late 2021, both sides are looking ahead. CGTN's Wu Guoxiu tells us more about the new plans in the works.

In his first official visit to China as Filipino Foreign Secretary, Teodoro Locsin pledges better maritime dialogue and stronger ties. With the South China Sea feud fading away, rhetoric between the two countries has taken a more positive tone.

On Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi welcomed Locsin to Diao Yutai guest house in Beijing.

WANG YI CHINESE STATE COUNCILOR & FOREIGN MINISTER "China will work together with the Philippines and other ASEAN countries, to remain determined, exclude interference, and strive to finish negotiations of the Code of Conduct by the end of 2021, and make it a real stabilizer for the South China Sea situation."

Locsin says China and the Philippines were never enemies. They'll strive for better cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

TEODORO LOCSIN PHILIPPINE FOREIGN SECRETARY "This was why I wrote the memorandum of understanding on the Belt and Road Initiative, that no other country in history, but the New China, has aspired to rise higher, not by stepping on others, but by helping them alongside her."

WANG YI CHINESE STATE COUNCILOR & FOREIGN MINISTER "We hope to build two strong cooperation areas; one in the northern Filipino city of Luzon and one in Davao in the south. We also hope to build cooperation models at Clark Industrial Park. We want to develop China-ASEAN's eastern area, and welcome the Philippines to join the multi-lateral construction of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor."

Wang says the two countries have signed nearly 100 documents in trade, basic infrastructure, energy and fishing. China is now the Philippines' largest trading partner, its first source of imports, and second source of tourists. In 2018, China's investment in the Philippines increased by 83 times year on year.

WU GUOXIU BEIJING "Wang says over the last three years, China-Philippines relations have turned around for the better. He hopes this visit by his Filipino counterpart will be good preparation for President Duterte's visit to China for the Second Belt and Road Forum next month. Wu Guoxiu, CGTN, Beijing."