Davao, March 27th--Rodrigo Duterte, Chairman of the Philippine Democratic Party–Power of the Nation (PDP–Laban) and President of the Philippines, met here today with Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee.

Song first conveyed President Xi Jinping's warm greetings to President Rodrigo Duterte. Song said China and the Philippines share a strip of water and enjoy traditional friendship. In November last year, President Xi Jinping paid a historic visit to the Philippines. He and His Excellency President upgraded bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative relationship and jointly drew up a new blueprint for China-Philippines friendly cooperation. China is ready to work with the Philippines to actively implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, consolidate the basis of political mutual trust, synergize development strategies, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, and keep closer coordination and cooperation on regional and international issues so as to contribute to the development of the two countries and the maintenance of regional peace and stability. The CPC attaches great importance to friendly relations with all political parties in the Philippines and is willing to continuously deepen exchanges and cooperation between the ruling parties of the two countries and jointly promote the long-term, sound and stable development of China-Philippines relations.

Duterte asked Song to convey his best wishes to President Xi and said that he looked forward to meeting with President Xi again on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in April. Duterte said that the Philippine side attaches great importance to relations with China, and he thanked China's support and assistance to the Philippine economic and social development. The Philippines is willing to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, promoting cooperation in three pillars including security, development and people-to-people and cultural engagement, actively promote the development of ASEAN-China relations, and benefit the peoples of the two countries and region with more practical achievements. The Philippines stands ready to strengthen exchanges between the ruling parties of the two countries at all levels, learn from the experience of the CPC in party governance and state administration so as to push for the sustained and sound development of the Philippines-china relations.

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