China News Service, Beijing, January 5 (Reporter Guo Chaokai and Huang Yuqin) Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning presided over a regular press conference on the 5th.

　　A reporter asked: Philippine President Marcos has just concluded his state visit to China.

In the past two days, both China and the Philippines, as well as regional and international media, have paid a lot of attention to this visit.

How does China comment on this visit?

　　Mao Ning: The popularity of the media shows that everyone cares about China-Philippines relations.

This visit is President Marcos' first visit to China after taking office, and China is also his first official visit outside ASEAN.

At the same time, this is also the first foreign leader China will receive at the beginning of 2023.

This shows how much the two sides attach importance to the visit.

On the 4th, President Xi Jinping held talks with President Marcos. They communicated in depth for a long time, and reached a new consensus and made strategic guidance on the future development of China-Philippines relations.

Premier Li Keqiang and Chairman Li Zhanshu met with President Marcos respectively.

The two sides also issued a rich joint statement.

　　Both sides agreed that the traditional friendship should be passed on.

The two heads of state spoke highly of the history of friendly exchanges between China and the Philippines, especially the historical story of the older generation of Chinese leaders and the father of President Marcos jointly promoting the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines.

President Marcos said that his family has a deep bond with China, and he has personally participated in the history of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines. He will shoulder the important responsibility of continuing to promote the traditional friendship between the two countries. Block the continuation and development of the friendship between the Philippines and China.

　　Both sides agreed to enhance friendly relations.

The two heads of state agreed to jointly open a new chapter of China-Philippines comprehensive strategic cooperative relationship, to be good neighbors who help each other, good relatives who know each other, and good partners who cooperate and win-win, and promote bilateral relations to "speed up" and reach new heights .

It can be said that this visit is another milestone in the friendly relations between the two countries, setting the direction and laying the foundation for the development of bilateral relations in the future.

　　The two sides agreed to expand practical cooperation.

In particular, it is necessary to deepen the connection between China's "One Belt, One Road" initiative and the Philippines' "Build More, Better Build" plan, expand and strengthen cooperation in the four key areas of agriculture, infrastructure, energy, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, so as to help the respective modernization of the two countries and bring more benefits to the two peoples. Come more blessings.

The two sides renewed the memorandum of understanding on co-construction of the "Belt and Road" and signed more than 10 cooperation documents on agriculture, infrastructure, e-commerce, financing, customs, and tourism.

　　The two sides agreed to enhance strategic mutual trust.

The two heads of state reiterated that they will continue to properly handle maritime issues through friendly consultations, and announced the resumption of negotiations on joint oil and gas development. The foreign ministries of the two countries have also established a sea-related hotline mechanism.

The two sides also conducted strategic communication on major international and regional issues, and agreed to focus on cooperation and development, jointly maintain regional peace and stability, safeguard genuine multilateralism, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries.

　　It can be said that President Marcos' visit is a "good start" for China-Philippines relations this year, and will bring great benefits to the development of China-Philippines relations in the new era.

China is willing to work with the Philippines to follow the consensus reached by the two heads of state to continue the millennium friendship, expand mutual benefit and win-win results, deepen strategic mutual trust, and promote China-Philippines relations to continue to deepen and be solid, stable and long-term, and provide support for the development of the two countries. Contribute positive energy to regional peace and stability.

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