Song said that China and the Philippines are friendly neighbors. Since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, both countries have worked together to fight against the virus, showcasing the fraternal friendship of supporting and helping each other between both countries. President Xi Jinping and President Rodrigo Roa Duterte spoke on the phone recently, and they reached important consensus on deepening China-Philippines traditional friendship, stepping up efforts in pandemic containment, restoring economic and social development. We hold this meeting today is to implement the consensus of both leaders, and discuss how to leverage the role of political parties so as to contribute more to China-Philippines relations. As China and the Philippines are important partners in the Belt and Road cooperation, political parties of both countries, in the face of new circumstances, need to strengthen exchanges of experience in state governance and development, advance integration between both countries’ development strategies and infrastructure connectivity, uphold the concept of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and push high-quality Belt and Road cooperation for more outcomes through party-to-party channels, so as to defend regional and global stability and development and bring more well-beings to people of both countries.

Leaders of Philippine political parties attending the meeting extended warm congratulations on the 99th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, and spoke highly of the great achievements the Chinese people have made in economic and social development under the leadership of the CPC and the remarkable progress they have made in promoting the cause of human rights. The Philippine side is grateful for China’s anti-pandemic medical supplies and other assistance, and noted that recent years have seen the substantial progress in Philippines-China relations, constantly deepened political mutual trust and fruitful outcomes in cooperation across the board. In the post-pandemic era, strengthening Belt and Road cooperation is of great significance in boosting global economic recovery. Philippine political parties expect to learn from the CPC’s experience in party governance and state administration, promote cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, and propel the high-standard development of the Philippines-China comprehensive strategic cooperation relations to build a community with a shared future for mankind. Firmly supporting the one-China principle, the Philippine side opposes the use of pandemic to stigmatize China by certain countries and oppose interfering in China’s international affairs under the disguise of Hong Kong and Xinjiang issues. 

The meeting adopted a joint initiative of political parties of China and the Philippines to support the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

Guo Yezhou, IDCPC Vice-minister, chaired the virtual meeting. People attending the meeting also included Huang Xilian, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines, and Raul L. Lambino, Vice President of PDP–Laban and Administrator and Chief Executive Officer, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority.

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