Wang Yi Holds Talks with Philippine Foreign Minister Teodoro Locsin

On April 3, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with visiting Philippine Foreign Minister Teodoro Locsin in Tunxi, Anhui Province.

Wang Yi said, friendly exchanges between China and the Philippines, dating back to more than a thousand years ago, have left us valuable experience and important inspiration that as close neighbors, both sides should respect, understand, trust and support each other. Since taking office, President Rodrigo Duterte has firmly pursued a friendly policy towards China and brought China-Philippines relations out of the trough and onto the right track. This fully conforms to the fundamental interests of the Philippines and its people, and also promotes regional peace, stability and development. I hope and believe that this right policy will be carried on, the friendship between the two peoples will continue to be carried forward, and the pragmatic cooperation between the two sides will maintain a strong momentum.

Wang Yi said, China always stays committed to prioritizing the Philippines in its neighborhood diplomacy, and China's good-neighborly and friendly policy towards the Philippines has maintained continuity and stability. The two sides should eliminate interference, and calmly and properly manage differences, so as to prevent the overall China-Philippines relations from being affected. China is ready to work with the Philippines to advance the construction of key infrastructure projects at a faster pace, so as to help the Philippines achieve more results in the "Build, Build, Build" program. China also stands ready to continue to provide COVID-19 vaccine assistance for the Philippines according to its needs and strengthen public health cooperation.

Locsin said, Philippines-China relations are becoming increasingly mature, with bilateral pragmatic cooperation achieving historic results and bringing lasting benefits to both sides. As a responsible major country, China stands by independence and peaceful development, setting a new example in the turbulent world. China has long promoted the development of countries in the region by its own development and played an irreplaceable role in global economic growth. China has led regional countries to fight the pandemic in solidarity, and Chinese vaccines have become a "lifeboat" for them. The Philippines firmly rejects the defamatory allegation that China is carrying out "vaccine diplomacy".

The two sides exchanged views on the South China Sea issue, and believe that maritime issues should be put in a proper place in bilateral relations. Wang Yi said, we are ready to work with other parties to take the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea as an opportunity to pool consensus on peace and stability, step up consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and make joint efforts to build the South China Sea into a sea of peace and cooperation. Wang Yi stressed, at present, it is vital to prevent improper measures from disrupting or even damaging bilateral relations and the stability of the South China Sea. Locsin said, the Philippines is ready to strengthen communication and make joint efforts with China.

The two sides exchanged views on regional cooperation. Wang Yi appreciated the important role played by the Philippines during its tenure as the country coordinator for China-Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) relations. He said, keeping in mind President Xi Jinping's proposal to build a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home together, the Chinese side is ready to implement the outcomes of the ASEAN-China Special Summit to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, formulate a new action plan, explore cooperation in key fields in alignment with the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, and jointly build an Asian community with a shared future. Locsin said, the Philippines will continue to actively support and participate in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, constantly deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with China in various fields, and make joint contributions to regional development and prosperity.

The two sides also exchanged views on Myanmar and Ukraine, among others