On August 31, 2011, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks at the Great Hall of the People with his Philippine counterpart Benigno Aquino III, who is here for a state visit. The two heads of state agreed to deepen China-Philippines traditional friendship, promote pragmatic cooperation and push bilateral strategic cooperative relations to a new level.

Hu said since the establishment of diplomatic ties 36 years ago, bilateral relations have made continuous progress and achieved fruitful results. He said the Philippine government adheres to the one-China policy and has offered precious support to China on Taiwan and other issues, which China appreciates. China attaches great importance to relations with the Philippines, said Hu, adding to continuously consolidate and develop China-Philippines strategic cooperative relations is a set policy of the Chinese government.

Aquino said the Philippines attaches great importance to ties with China and deems China-Philippines relationship one of its most important bilateral relationships. The Philippines is ready to further develop the ties and deepen the profound friendship between both peoples that was forged several centuries ago.

Hu said China is ready to work with the Philippines in the following aspects.

First, both sides should take a long-term perspective to ensure healthy and stable development of bilateral ties. Both sides should further implement the important political consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries in 2005 on establishing China-Philippines relationship of strategic cooperation for peace and development and the Joint Action Plan for Strategic Cooperation to push bilateral ties for comprehensive, in-depth development. Second, both sides should tap potential and open up new prospects for bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Both sides should enhance cooperation on trade, infrastructure, agriculture, water conservancy, new energy, renewable energy and finance, well implement relevant cooperation projects, optimize the trade mix, expand trade scale, push for inter-connectivity and strive for the timely attainment of the new annual trade target. Third, both sides should work closely to enhance defense, security and law enforcement cooperation. The officials from the relevant departments of the two countries should maintain close communication, strengthen coordination and cooperation on personnel training, information sharing, disaster prevention and mitigation and jointly combat terrorism and transnational crime. Efforts should also be made to protect the safety of life and property of the two peoples and maintain social stability. Fourth, both sides should review the past, look into the future and carry forward the traditional friendship. Both sides should expand friendly exchanges between both peoples through various ways and create sound atmosphere for bilateral ties. Fifth, the two countries should adhere to an open and inclusive spirit and promote the coordinated development of regional cooperation. China is ready to take the opportunities of the 20th anniversary of China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations and the implementation of the second five-year action plan between ASEAN and China to continue advancing bilateral exchanges and cooperation on economy, finance, inter-connectivity, sustainable development and humanities so as to play a constructive role in safeguarding peace and stability of East Asia and promoting common development.

Aquino fully agreed with President Hu's important proposals on furthering bilateral ties. He said the Joint Action Plan for Strategic Cooperation is of great guiding signifaince to pushing forward bilateral ties. Economic and trade relationship is an important part of bilateral ties and the five-year plan on bilateral economic and trade cooperation will surely play an important role in pushing for bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Both sides should promote mutual investment, strive to achieve bilateral trade target, enhance cooperation on infrastructure, tourism and other areas, expand people-to-people friendly exchanges and deepen mutual understanding between both peoples. Aquino thanked for China's disinterested assistance for the Philippines' economic and social development and welcomed Chinese businesses to actively participate in the country's economic development and national construction. The Philippine side is ready to work with China to enhance pragmatic cooperation in all areas and jointly advance relationship of strategic cooperation for peace and development.

China's position and proposition on the South China Sea issue has been consistent and explicit, Hu said. China has always advocated that the South China Sea disputes should be resolved peacefully through consultation and negotiation between the two countries concerned, said Hu. Before the disputes are resolved, the countries concerned may put aside the disputes and actively explore forms of common development in the relevant sea areas, which is in the common interest of relevant countries, Hu said. China is ready to work with the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including the Philippines, to actively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and jointly develop the waters into "a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation," Hu said.

Aquino, in his turn, reiterated that the Philippines is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the region and implementing the Declaration. The South China Sea issue does not constitute all Philippines-China relations, Aquino said, adding that the issue should not affect the development of bilateral ties and friendly cooperation in various fields. He hoped the issue can be solved at an early date for the benefit of both peoples.

Following the talks, the two heads of state attended the signing ceremony of relevant cooperation documents.

Prior to the talks, President Hu held a welcome ceremony for Aquino's visit at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. NPC Vice Chairwoman Yan Junqi, State Councilor Dai Bingguo, Vice Chairman Huang Mengfu of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of China KMT Revolutionary Committee Zheng Jianbang, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, MOC International Trade Representative & Vice Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchao and other officials attended the welcome ceremony.