China hopes to develop a long-term stable friendship with the
Philippines on the basis of good-neighborly cooperation as well as
mutual trust and mutual benefit, Chinese President Jiang Zemin said
Tuesday afternoon when meeting visiting Philippine President Gloria
Macapagal Arroyo.
The two presidents exchanged views on bilateral relations and other
issues of common concern, and reached a consensus on a number of
issues.
The Chinese and Philippine peoples have had a time-honored friendly
relationship since the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Jiang said.
Since the two countries established diplomatic relations 26 years
ago, Jiang said, they have carried out concrete exchanges and
cooperation, which have benefited both peoples.
In
order to further enhance bilateral relations with the Philippines
in the new century, Jiang proposed that China welcomes various
personages from the Philippine government and parliament as well as
academic and journalistic circles while keeping continuous visits
and contacts by the two countries' leaders.
Jiang also proposed that the two countries deepen their cooperation
in trade, agriculture, investment, poverty elimination, information
technology, telecommunications, tourism, justice, and fisheries and
to crackdown on multinational crime.
As
for the disputes remaining between the two countries, Jiang
continued, the two sides should calmly and properly deal with these
issues, not allowing them to undermine the bilateral friendship and
basic interests of the two peoples.
Both developing countries, China and the Philippines extensively
share common interests in international and regional affairs, Jiang
said.
Under the current world situation, the two sides should strengthen
communication and cooperation in international organizations such
as the United Nations (UN), the World Trade Organization (WTO)
and the Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC), he said.
After it steps into the WTO, China will further open its domestic
market to worldwide competitors. China would like to see Philippine
enterprises invest in China, especially in the western region,
Jiang said.
At
the same time, Jiang said, the Chinese government will encourage
Chinese enterprises to invest in Southeast Asian countries,
including the Philippines.
Arroyo said she agrees with Jiang's proposal on enhancing the
bilateral relations. She said the Philippines is willing to develop
a long-term, healthy and extensive friendship with China.
Arroyo said the bilateral cooperation has great potential and
prospects. The Philippines wants to intensify mutual trust between
the two countries.
The Philippine president highly values the modernization drive made
by the Chinese people. She said that China has become a main force
pushing forward world peace and stability.
China's entry into the WTO will not only benefit the world economy
but also provide a good opportunity for trade and economic
cooperation between the two countries, she said.
(
Xinhua News
Agency 10/30/2001)