Visiting Defence Minister Chi Haotian and Philippine Defence
Secretary Angelo Reyes yesterday reaffirmed the two countries'
commitment to defence cooperation, confidence building and efforts
to enhance peace and stability in the region.
During their meeting here, Chi said China attaches great importance
to developing friendly relations with the Philippines, bears always
in mind the larger interests of the two countries' bilateral ties,
and devotes itself to maintaining peace and stability in the region
and the world as a whole.
The People's Liberation Army of China is ready to make joint
efforts with the Philippine side to further promote long-term,
stable cooperative relations of good-neighborliness and mutual
trust between the two countries, said Chi, who is also
vice-chairman of China's Central Military Commission and a state
councilor.
Reyes said his country is devoted to developing sound and stable
relations with China and will explore new areas for defence
cooperation.
He
said the Philippines gives priority to maintaining peace and
stability in the South China Sea and is willing to solve its
differences with China through peaceful consultation.
He
reiterated that the Philippine Government will continue to follow
the one-China policy, and Chi expressed his appreciation of the
Philippine Government's commitment in this regard.
Both Chi and Reyes expressed happiness over the improving relations
between the two countries' defence establishments and armed forces
in recent years, in a joint statement issued by them at the end of
the meeting.
To
further build confidence and deepen the defence relations between
the two countries, Reyes proposed that more activities be
undertaken within the framework of a joint statement signed by the
two countries in May 2000 that serves as a guide for bilateral
cooperation in the 21st century.
Chi assured Reyes that China will do everything it can to push
forward friendship and intensify confidence-building measures,
particularly through the exchange of visits between the two
countries' defence and military officials, according to the
statement.
Chi arrived here on Wednesday night for a four-day visit, the
second by a high-ranking Chinese official for the month. Two weeks
ago, China's top legislator Li Peng paid a three-day official
good-will visit to the country.
During his stay here, Chi will call on President Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo and also meet the commanding generals of the Philippine
Army, Navy and Air Force.
The Philippines is the third leg of Chi's current three-nation
tour, which has already taken him to Canada and Indonesia.
(China
Daily September 27, 2002)