Q: The Philippine Foreign Ministry announced in its press release on August 18 that Philippine President Aquino will pay a state visit to China from August 30 to September 3, with the purpose of promoting the Philippines-China partnership that puts people first and elevating bilateral relations to the highest level. What is China's comment? How does China look at this visit? How do you comment on China-Philippines relations?

A: This is President Aquino's first visit to China since his inauguration. Chinese leaders will hold talks and meet with him, exchanging views on advancing bilateral relations, promoting exchanges and cooperation across the board and enhancing coordination on international and regional affairs. The two sides will sign a series of agreements to facilitate bilateral cooperation in fields of trade, culture, media and others. We believe this visit will further advance China-Philippines relations.

The Chinese Government always values its good-neighborly friendship and cooperation with the Philippines, since the latter is China's close neighbor as well as a member of the ASEAN. The two countries have sustained the momentum of high-level visits over the years, deepened mutual understanding, achieved positive outcomes in exchanges and cooperation in fields including trade, culture, law enforcement and defense and maintained close contact and coordination in fostering China-ASEAN relations as well as the East Asia cooperation process. It has been proven that the sound and stable development of China-Philippines relations serves the fundamental and long-term interests of the two countries and the two peoples as well as regional peace, stability and prosperity. China is willing to make concerted efforts with the Philippines to push for constant new progress in our strategic and cooperative relationship.