Wang Yi Delivers a Video Speech to the "Manila Forum for China-Philippines Relations"

On January 17, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivered a video speech to the "Manila Forum for China-Philippines Relations" entitled "Upholding China-Philippines Friendship, Jointly Creating a Bright Future".

Wang Yi made positive comments on the rapid growth of the Forum during the past year and appreciated the positive role it has played in promoting the mutual trust and cooperation between the two peoples. Wang Yi said that China and the Philippines are neighbors facing each other across the sea and partners through thick and thin, and that friendly interactions between the two countries date back to over a millennium ago. China brings to the Philippines not colonization or war, but cooperation and friendship. After taking office, President Duterte made the strategic decision to improve relations with China, and rainbows appeared in China-Philippines relations after the rainstorms. Facts have proved that the decision fully conforms with the fundamental interests of the Philippines and its people, the common interests of China and the Philippines, and the trend toward peace and development in the region. I am confident that people with insight from our two countries will keep to this right direction and write more splendid chapters of China-Philippines friendship.

Wang Yi said, looking ahead, China will continue to pursue a policy to foster an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood, and stay committed to the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in its neighborhood diplomacy. and promote greater solidarity and cooperation with the Philippines.

First, join hands to prevail over the pandemic. We are willing to continue to help meet the Philippines' need for vaccines, and carry out cooperation on effective medicines and public health capacity building to eventually defeat the virus.

Second, join hands to speed up development and revitalization. We are willing to continue to keep the door open to more Philippine agricultural products and make more investment in the country, with a view to contributing to the Philippines' efforts in accelerating industrialization and modernization, and enhancing its capacity for self-generated development.

Third, join hands to properly handle the South China Sea issue. We are willing to work with the Philippines to find ways to properly manage and resolve the issue in the spirit of goodwill and pragmatism. We need to advance joint development without prejudice to either side's rights and claims, so that we can turn the challenge into an opportunity, contribute to the development of the Philippines and enhance the friendship between the two peoples.

Fourth, join hands to maintain peace and stability in the region. We should stay committed to an independent foreign policy, uphold the ASEAN-centered regional cooperation framework, deepen the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership, and contribute to maintaining regional stability and promoting regional prosperity.

Wang Yi said that in 2022, China will soon enter the "Winter Olympics Time" and the Communist Party of China will hold its 20th National Congress later in the year. The Philippines also has important domestic political agenda this year. Standing at a new historical starting point, both sides should bear in mind the well-being of the two peoples, commit to steering China-Philippines friendship in the right direction, remove disturbances, deepen cooperation, and jointly usher in an even better future for China-Philippines relations.

The "Manila Forum for China-Philippines Relations" is jointly organized by the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines and the Association for Philippines-China Understanding (APCU), which was jointly announced its establishment by State Councilor Wang Yi and former Philippine President and Honorary Chairman of APCU Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2021 and has been successfully held for four sessions so far. Arroyo attended this forum, and more than 300 people from the political, business and academic circles held in-depth discussions on the theme of "Moving into the future hand in hand and upholding the main theme of China-Philippines friendship".