Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi Visits Manila
28 July 2017 - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi conducted an Official Visit to Manila on 24-25 July 2017, upon the invitation of Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter S. Cayetano.
During the bilateral talks on 25 July, Secretary Cayetano and Minister Wang highlighted the great improvement in Philippines-China relations under the leadership of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and President Xi Jinping.
As our good friend, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, has described this period as the golden age of Philippines-China bilateral ties, may I thank President Duterte and President Xi Jinping, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Filipino and Chinese people for making this a reality,” said Secretary Cayetano.
The Secretary reiterated the Duterte administration’s commitment to work tirelessly so that the Filipino people and the Chinese people will feel the benefits of stronger Philippines-China bilateral relations.
Underscoring China's support for the Philippines' independent foreign policy, Minister Wang stated that "China is ready to be a most sincere, long standing partner of the Philippines"
The Foreign Minister further said that China stands ready to continue its high-level serious commitment in order to build mutual trust and expand all areas of cooperation and support for the Philippines. He also announced additional assistance consisting of emergency supplies which will be used for the settlement of people in Marawi and the rebuilding of the city.
During President Duterte’s October 2016 state visit to China alone, the Philippines generated US$24 Billion worth of aid and investment pledges, soft loans, and grants from China for the various Build, Build, Build infrastructure projects in the country such as in airports, railways and bridges, among others.
With the signing yesterday of a Memorandum of Agreement on strengthening cooperation between the DFA and Chinese Foreign Ministry, the Secretary is optimistic that both sides shall harness the positive momentum generated by warm Philippines-China collaboration in the areas of tourism, trade, finance, cooperation against illegal narcotics, terrorism, sports, arts, culture, and science and technology, among others.
The DFA likewise welcomes China’s steadfast support for the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairmanship in 2017, especially for the upcoming ASEAN and ASEAN-related Ministerial Meetings in August 2017.
After the bilateral meeting, Foreign Minister Wang Yi also paid a courtesy call on President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. END
