The Chinese and the Philippine governments have expressed confidence of further enhancing strong bilateral ties, citing its close cooperation in the areas of trade and tourism.

China hosted a dinner reception for its 60th founding anniversary at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel Monday night. It also celebrates its National Day on Wednesday.

“We are confident that the Philippines’ relationship with China will continue to expand, [and the] friendship will further deepen,” Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Acting Secretary Franklin Ebdalin said.

“China is a leader and an influential member of the international community,” he added.

For his part, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchao stressed that the Philippines is one of China’s “close neighbors.”

“China and the Philippines are destined to be friends and partners. Our leaders translated their vision and wisdom into a friendship in 1975, which has grown into a strategic
and cooperative relationship honoring our endeavor in the past 34 years,” Liu said.

He added: “We have a very good foundation for an even stronger and closer bilateral relationship.
We will, as always, listen to one another and work together; focus on our common interests, not on occasional differences;
and reaffirm our shared aspirations, which are stronger than any force that could drive us apart.”

“That is the work that we must carry on, to further strengthen and mature the cooperative and strategic relationship between China and the Philippines in an all-round manner. The China-Philippine relationship will really be what we make of it,” Liu said.