Chinese vice FM calls on Philippine president

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying conveyed the message of Chinese leaders when she called on Philippine President Benigno Aquino III at the Malacanang, or Presidential Palace, on Friday.

China places great importance on the development of good- neighborly friendship and cooperation with the Philippines and values traditional friendship between the two peoples, Fu said.

The two sides should properly handle relevant issues and work toward healthy and stable development of bilateral relations, for the benefit of the two peoples, she added.

Fu noted the positive outcome reached at the 18th Foreign Ministry Consultations and expressed the Chinese side's commitment to strengthen communication with the Philippine side to implement the consensus reached between leaders of the two countries to increase exchanges and cooperation, with a view to bringing bilateral relations back to the normal track.

Philippine President welcomed Fu Ying's visit and conveyed his greetings to Chinese leaders.

He recognized the positive outcome of the Foreign Ministry Consultations and noted that both the Philippines and China are developing countries. As such both are duty-bound to develop their economies and improve people's living standards, which requires a stable internal and external environment.

Aquino expressed the hope that both sides would increase exchanges, promote mutual understanding and trust, and advance Sino-Philippine development with a forward-looking spirit.