Your Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Former President of the Republic of the Philippines,

Hon. Martin Andanar, Secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office and Presidential Spokesperson,

Hon. Deng Jun, President of Chinese Enterprises Philippines Association,

Hon. Jeffrey Ng, President of APCU,

Distinguished guests and friends from media,

Ladies and gentleman, 

Good afternoon!

I am delighted to meet all of you online at the Sixth Manila Forum for Philippines-China Relations with the theme “Retrospect and Outlook for China-Philippines Relations”. Thank you, Your Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Secretary Martin Andanar and my colleague Mr. Deng Jun, for your wonderful speeches. The year 2022 is a special year for the Philippines. The Filipino people elected their national leaders in a successful general election. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all Filipino people, and I believe that under the leadership of the new administration, the Philippines will usher in a better future. 

This year is also special for China-Philippines relations. Several days ago, we celebrated the 47th Anniversary of our diplomatic relations and the 21st China-Philippines Friendship Day. A famous Philippine saying goes, “One cannot go far if he doesn’t know where he came from”. The timing and the theme of today’s forum cannot be more relevant. I am inspired by your discussions just now and I am happy to share with you a few thoughts on China-Philippines relations.

First, win-win Cooperation is the key to our friendship. Win-win cooperation has always been the theme of our relations. In the past six years, under the leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Duterte, our bilateral ties have turned around, consolidated and been elevated, bringing tangible benefits to our two peoples. Bilateral trade has doubled. China’s cumulative approved investments in the Philippines totaled 161 billion pesos, quadrupling that of the previous six years. Our G-to-G projects have made remarkable progress, giving a strong boost to the economic recovery of the Philippines. Facts have shown that our joint effort to seek development and revitalization fulfills the common aspirations and fundamental interests of the two peoples. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have contributed to China-Philippines relations.

Currently, the global economy is facing severe challenges from high inflation, fragile supply chains, and energy and food crises. The livelihood and economic recovery of the Philippines demands a stronger booster. President-elect Bongbong Marcos Jr. has pointed out “our strongest partner has always been our close neighbor and, good friend, the People’s Republic of China”. China will continue to carry out infrastructure cooperation with the Philippines, and keep our doors open to more Philippine agricultural products and make more investment in the country, to facilitate Philippine’s efforts in accelerating industrialization and modernization and capacity-building for self-generated development. China is also willing to do its best to help the new administration to effectively deal with the rising prices and shortage of agricultural production materials, and work together to face the uncertainties of the world. China sincerely welcomes the Philippines to actively participate in the Global Development Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping to jointly create a prosperous future for global development.

Second, peace and stability is the safeguard to our friendship. Over the past six years, following the important consensus reached by our two leaders, we have persevered in properly handling differences,  providing an important safeguard to our friendship, cooperation and contributing to regional peace and stability. History tells us that when we can properly handle and manage the differences, our cooperation will proceed without disruption; but when disputes are allowed to escalate or even get out of control, the overall bilateral relations will suffer. We hope to work with the Philippines to find ways to properly manage and resolve our differences in the spirit of goodwill and pragmatism.

Currently, the world is in a new period of turbulence and transformation, and peace and security is faced with new challenges. The development of our two countries is rooted in a good-neighborly and friendly surroundings and also in an Asian family featuring win-win cooperation. Regional security cannot be achieved by strengthening military alliances, and the future of the region must be kept firmly in our own hands. The Global Security Initiative, proposed by President Xi Jinping with the future of all humanity in mind, offers China’s solution to international security challenges. The Philippines are welcomed to join this initiative so that we can work together to address global challenges.

Third, mutual understanding and affinity is the bond of our friendship. As a Chinese saying goes, those communicating with hearts, their friendship lasts. China and the Philippines are very close to each other in terms of geographical location, ancestral ties and cultural background. People-to-people exchange has always been the foundation of our bilateral relationship. Our predecessors such as Chinese navigator Zheng He and the King of Sulu brought our two peoples closer by making arduous efforts. A few days ago, we successfully held the awarding ceremony for the Awards for Promoting Philippines-China Understanding (APPCU), to honor those who have long been committed to enhancing China-Philippines mutual understanding and friendship. Their deeds are worth remembering, and their contributions will go down in history.

At present, China-Philippines relations are in a critical period of building on the past and ushering in the future. I look forward to more people from all walks of life participating in the great cause of promoting mutual understanding between our two peoples to ensure that our friendship will last from generation to generation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Last month, President Xi Jinping had a phone conversation with President-elect Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr.. They envisioned a bright future of our bilateral relations where our relations will shift to a higher gear and the blueprint for bilateral friendly cooperation will be followed through. This not only reflects the political determination of the two leaders, but also the common aspiration of our two peoples. China is willing to work with the Philippines to seize new opportunities, and create a better future for China-Philippines relations!

Thank you!