PHILIPPINES, CHINA DISCUSS STRENGTHENING TIES AND MAINTAINING MOMENTUM OF COOPERATION

22 April 2023, Manila – The Philippines and China committed to strengthen ties and maintain the momentum of cooperation during the bilateral meeting between Philippine Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo and Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang held today.

“Together, let us endeavor to elevate our bilateral relations to even greater heights under the administration of President Marcos, who shares the commitment with President Xi,” Secretary Manalo said. The Philippines’ top diplomat added, “Our leaders have agreed that our differences in the West Philippine Sea are not the sum total of our relations. These differences should not prevent us from seeking ways of managing them effectively, especially with respect to the enjoyment of rights of Filipinos, especially our fisherfolk.”

The meeting was the first between two officials and built upon the inaugural and historic state visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to China, which laid the guideposts for ushering in comprehensive Philippines-China relations. It was under the Administration of President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. that diplomatic relations were established in 1975.

During the meeting, both officials acknowledged the progress in the implementation of the state visit outcomes from the President’s state visit in January 2023. 

“The tripling of our total bilateral trade within the past decade is a positive development. The Philippines looks forward to the early realization of the USD 22.8 billion business and investment pledges made during the state visit of President Marcos to Beijing,” stated the Foreign Affairs chief.

The high-level officials also highlighted infrastructure cooperation as a key sector for Philippines-China economic and development engagement, especially with the Philippines’ Build Better More program dovetailing with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and looked forward to the early completion of ongoing infrastructure cooperation projects.

Aside from bilateral cooperation, the two foreign ministers also exchanged views on strategic and regional issues. Secretary Manalo reaffirmed the Philippines’ adherence to the One China Policy, while at the same time expressing concern over the escalating tensions across the Taiwan Strait. He also emphasized that the Philippines pursues an independent foreign policy, which seeks to ensure stability and prosperity in the region.

The visit of Foreign Minister Qin Gang came on the heels of the 23rd Foreign Ministry Consultations and 7th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea that were convened back-to-back in Manila last month. END