Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, June 9th: President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages with President Duterte of the Philippines on June 9th to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines.
Xi Jinping pointed out in the congratulatory message that China and the Philippines are friendly neighbors and the traditional friendship has a long history. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 45 years ago, China-Philippines relations have made great progress. In particular, in recent years, the political mutual trust between the two countries has deepened, cooperation in various fields has continued to expand, and the results of the joint construction of the “Belt and Road” have been fruitful, bringing tangible well-being to the people of the two countries and making positive contributions to the stable development of the region.
Xi Jinping emphasized that China and the Philippines are both in a critical period of development and have broad prospects for cooperation. I attach great importance to the development of China-Philippine relations and would like to work with President Duterte to push China-Philippines comprehensive strategic cooperative relations to a new level. The Chinese side feels the same about the Philippines’ suffering from the new crown pneumonia epidemic, and is willing to work together with the Philippines to overcome the difficulties.
Duterte said in the congratulatory message that the friendship and affection of the people of the Philippines and China have lasted for thousands of years. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1975, the friendly relations between the two countries have continued to develop. The current world security and stability continue to face challenges. Non-traditional security threats such as the New Coronary Pneumonia epidemic have become increasingly prominent. It is essential to further strengthen the Philippines-China partnership. The Philippines regards China as a close neighbor and an important partner, and is willing to continue to uphold the principles of peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation, continuously deepen comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two countries, and promote peace, development, and prosperity between the two countries.