On November 10 local time, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with President Benigno Simeon Aquino III of the Philippines at the presidential palace in Manila.
Wang Yi noted that President Xi Jinping has received the invitation and oral message of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III and is willing to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in the Philippines, which demonstrates China’s attention to the APEC agenda and support to the Philippines in hosting the meeting. My current visit to the Philippines at invitation is to have in-depth communications with the Philippines on relevant arrangements for President Xi Jinping’s attendance at the APEC meeting and make necessary preparations. Important consensus on promoting cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region was reached during the APEC meeting in Beijing last year, and it is hoped that based on the consensus, this year’s meeting will further focus on and promote the economic and trade cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. China, as a neighboring country of the Philippines and the host country of last APEC meeting, is pleased to see the Philippines hold a successful meeting.
Benigno Simeon Aquino III asked Wang Yi to convey his greetings to President Xi Jinping. He expressed that the Philippines is looking forward to President Xi Jinping’s attendance of the meeting in the country and will do the honors to offer the warmest and friendliest reception to President Xi Jinping and take all measures to make sure that his visit to Manila will be smooth, safe and pleasant. He also assured China that the Philippines will serve as a good host country and focus on economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. The disputed issues will not and should not be involved in the meeting, and the Philippines is willing to create a positive and comfortable atmosphere for President Xi Jinping and other leaders so as to ensure positive achievements from the meeting.
Wang Yi stated that China and the Philippines are inseparable neighbors, and should get along with each other in harmony to achieve common development. At present, China-Philippines relations are in a difficult situation, which is against the common interests of the two countries, especially the two peoples. I would like to reiterate that China attaches importance to developing relations with the Philippines, and is willing to work with the Philippines to rebuild good-neighborly and friendly relations which develop normally, stably and healthily. China is ready to address appropriately all problems affecting bilateral relations including the maritime issue through dialogue and consultation. China’s door for dialogue is always open. It is hoped that the two sides will meet each other halfway and find solutions to the problems as soon as possible through dialogues. Benigno Simeon Aquino III stated that the Philippines hopes to peacefully resolve the relevant disputes, and is ready to conduct open and candid communications with China in the hope of finding solutions acceptable to both sides.
On the same day, Wang Yi also met with Paquito Ochoa Jr., Executive Secretary of the Philippines and Chairman of the APEC 2015 National Organizing Committee, and had in-depth discussions on relevant arrangements for President Xi Jinping’s attendance at the APEC meeting.