Xi Jinping Speaks with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on the Phone

On the afternoon of April 8, 2022, President Xi Jinping had a phone conversation with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

Xi Jinping pointed out, Mr. President's first visit to China in October 2016 is still fresh in my memory. That's an ice-breaking trip marking a milestone in the history of China-Philippines relations. Over the past six years, following the important consensus reached by us, the two sides have stood up for good neighborliness, friendship and cooperation, persevered in properly handling differences, stayed committed to common development, and worked together to get rid of interference in China-Philippines ties, demonstrating a new situation of vigorous development. The two countries have established a comprehensive strategic cooperative relationship, deepened the integration between the Belt and Road Initiative and the "Build, Build, Build" program and jointly promoted cooperation in major projects such as infrastructure construction, with bilateral trade volume doubled. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the two sides stood together with mutual assistance to safeguard the safety of the lives of the people in both countries and their health, and maintain the stability of the industrial and supply chains in the region. The two sides have properly handled the South China Sea issue, providing an important foundation for the China-Philippines friendly cooperation, benefitting the two peoples and also effectively safeguarding regional peace and stability.

Xi Jinping stressed, China maintains the continuity and stability in its policy toward the Philippines, and stands ready to work with the Philippine side to constantly elevate China-Philippines relations to new heights by promoting sustained and sound development. The Chinese side is ready to continue to provide COVID-19 vaccines to the Philippines according to its needs, and strengthen cooperation in the research and development of specific drugs and in public health capacity-building, among others; advance the construction of major projects and expand cooperation in fields such as trade, investment, education, as well as people-to-people and cultural exchanges; import more quality products from the Philippines, encourage Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in the Philippines, and contribute to the modernization of the Philippines.

Xi Jinping stressed, the development of the current international situation has once again proved that regional security cannot be achieved by strengthening military alliances. The Chinese side is ready to work with the Philippines and other regional countries to uphold the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, keep the regional security dominance firmly in our own hands, and jointly safeguard the hard-won peace and stability in the region, so as to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Duterte said, I highly cherish the friendship and good relations with President Xi Jinping. Over the past six years, thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, people in the two countries have become more friendly toward each other, bilateral relations stronger and cooperation more fruitful. The Philippine people have truly felt the benefits of Philippines-China cooperation. Thanking China for its vaccine support in the Philippines' fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the timely help to the people affected by the typhoon disaster in the Philippines, he said China is a true and reliable friend of the Philippine people. The Philippine side is ready to consolidate friendship and cooperation with China, constantly strengthen bilateral relations, learn from China's experience in poverty alleviation, and promote cooperation in fields such as pandemic response, economy and trade, infrastructure, tourism and education. The Philippines welcomes Chinese enterprises' investment and cooperation, which is of great significance for the Philippines to realize its own development. The Philippines is ready to work with China to properly handle the South China Sea issue, set an example for peacefully resolving disputes, and maintain regional peace and stability. The Philippines is also ready to play an active role in the development of the relations between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China.