China News Service, July 14 (Xinhua) According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, on July 14, 2020, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held video talks with Philippine Foreign Minister Rochin.
Wang Yi said that China and the Philippines are friendly neighbors across the sea, and the two countries and peoples have a history of exchanges for thousands of years. President Duterte has made important political decisions since taking office, changed the practice of blindly creating confrontation in previous years, and reached important consensus with Chinese leaders on shelving maritime disputes, controlling the situation through bilateral consultations, and strengthening dialogue and cooperation. As a result, China-Philippines relations have stopped falling and rebounded, and cooperation in various fields has developed rapidly. We should cherish the hard-won friendly situation, consolidate the political basis for the transformation of bilateral relations, and safeguard the important results brought about by the cooperation between the two countries. President Xi Jinping held a phone call with President Duterte not long ago to reach a new important consensus on the development direction of Sino-Philippine relations. We should implement the consensus of the leaders of the two countries without any compromise, increase mutual trust, eliminate interference, and promote the continuous development of China-Philippine relations.
Wang Yi said that the people of China and the Philippines have helped each other in the prevention and control of the epidemic situation, shared the same boat and showed brotherhood. The Chinese side is willing to continue to share anti-epidemic experience with the Philippines, provide support within its ability, promote cooperation in vaccine research and development, step up the establishment of a "fast channel" for personnel exchanges, create a "green channel" for logistics, help to resume production and ensure the stability of the industrial chain supply chain. We are willing to continue to promote the integration of the "Belt and Road" initiative with the Philippines' "big construction and special construction" plan and accelerate the implementation of cooperation projects.
Wang Yi expounded on China’s principled position on the South China Sea issue and pointed out that with the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries, the situation in the South China Sea remained generally stable, but the United States was afraid of the South China Sea from chaos and continued to make waves in the South China Sea due to geopolitical needs. The most advanced warship, Yaowu Yangwei, is advancing the militarization of the South China Sea. This dangerous trend deserves high vigilance from countries in the region. A few days ago, the United States also issued a so-called statement that openly violated its unsatisfied commitment on the disputed issues in the South China Sea and deliberately provoked the relationship between China and ASEAN countries in an attempt to create conflicts and undermine regional stability. This rebellious approach will only damage the reputation of the United States. Wang Yi said that China will continue to work with regional countries, including the Philippines, to persist in handling maritime issues through dialogue and consultation. On the basis of abiding by the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," a binding "Code of Conduct in the South China Sea" will be reached at an early date. To jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. Wang Yi emphasized to Luoqin that we should look forward together to deal with the maritime issue, not return to the past.
Luo Qin expressed condolences to the flooded Chinese people, believing that the great China will be able to overcome any challenges encountered as it has in the past. The Philippines congratulates the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China and is willing to deepen friendship and unity with China and promote mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields. The Philippines congratulates China on the major achievements in the fight against epidemic disease, appreciates China's important role in the international fight against epidemic disease, thanks China for sending medical teams and providing medical supplies to the Philippines, and is willing to actively cooperate with China in vaccine cooperation and establish a "fast track" as soon as possible Make proper arrangements. The Philippine side does not agree that some countries use the epidemic to target China, which is neither fair nor reasonable. The Philippine side supports the joint construction of the “Belt and Road” cooperation and moves forward without interference. The Philippine side believes that the maritime dispute is not the whole of Philippine-China relations and should not and will not affect Philippine-Chinese friendship. The Philippines is willing to continue to work to resolve disputes in the South China Sea through bilateral friendly consultations, actively promote maritime cooperation, and jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.