Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Enrique A. Manalo led the Philippine delegation at the 20th Philippines-China Foreign Mi...
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Enrique A. Manalo led the Philippine delegation at the 20th Philippines-China Foreign Ministry Consultations (FMC) in Manila, Philippines on January 18. Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Vice Minister Liu Zhenmin led the Chinese delegation.
The Philippines and China discussed a wide range of areas for cooperation, including law enforcement, trade and investment, finance, tourism, culture, people-to-people exchanges, among others.
The Philippines highlighted that it would continue to enhance functional cooperation with China guided by the Philippine Development Plan and President Duterte’s 10-Point Socioeconomic Agenda. Both sides also exchanged views on strengthening cooperation under the ASEAN framework, as China reiterated its support for the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairmanship in 2017.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea, guided by the principles of freedom of navigation and overflight and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
Both sides spoke on the early conclusion of a Code of Conduct (COC) and the mutual interest to reach a COC Framework by the middle of 2017. The Philippines also conveyed its concerns on recent incidents in the South China Sea. Finally, both sides agreed to establish a bilateral consultation mechanism on the South China Sea, which will discuss current and other issues of concern to either side, as stated in the Joint Statement issued on the occasion of President Duterte’s State Visit to China in October 2016.
“The Philippines and China should work together and cooperate for peace and stability in the region, and build mutual trust and confidence,” said Undersecretary Manalo. The last FMC was held in Beijing in 2013. Both sides agreed to hold the 21st FMC at a mutually agreed date in 2018, with China as the host. (DFA)
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