Song welcomed Pimentel as the first major leader of a foreign ruling party to be invited to visit China since the CPC resumed its offline diplomacy. He noted that in recent years, under the strategic leadership of the top leaders of the two countries and the two Parties, China-Philippines relations have achieved great development, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the two heads of state have maintained close communication, and reached important consensus on jointly fighting against the pandemic, revitalizing the economy, as well as safeguarding regional peace and stability. Currently, the investment and trade between the two countries have increased, bucking the global trend of decline, and pragmatic cooperation is promoted steadily, which fully demonstrates the solid foundation and huge potential of the China-Philippines comprehensive strategic partnership.

Song pointed out that as the COVID-19 pandemic is still raging across countries, the world has entered a period of turbulence and change. Guided by the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, the ruling parties of China and the Philippines should deepen exchanges of experience in party governance and state administration, with a focus on fighting against the pandemic and development, carry out “political party plus” cooperation in an innovative manner, advance the integration between the Belt and Road Initiative and the “Build, Build, Build” Plan, promote cooperation in emerging industries, localities and poverty alleviation, so as to contribute the power of political parties to the welfare of the two peoples. China is willing to work with the Philippines to effectively manage and control differences concerning maritime issues for an early agreement on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC). China will also deepen its cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to jointly oppose to the interference of forces out of the region, and safeguard the peaceful and stable development environment of the region. The two sides should reject hegemony, safeguard basic norms governing international relations, uphold multilateralism and international cooperation, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Song also mainly briefed on the main content of the third volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China.

Pimentel noted that China has always attached great importance to developing friendly relations with neighboring countries, actively supported the development of neighboring countries with its growing national strength. The Philippine side regards China as a close neighboring country and important partner. The PDP-Laban expects to strengthen communication and mutual learning on party governance and state administration with the CPC, especially to study the third volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, promote high-quality cooperation under the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, advance the better understanding between peoples of the two countries, and promote Philippines-China relations for new progress. The Philippines upholds peaceful settlement of dispute through dialogue and consultation regarding the South China Sea issue, and believes that all sides should exercise restraint, and eliminate interference, so as to reach the COC as soon as possible, and safeguard regional peace and stability.

After the meeting, the two sides held activities briefing on the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and giveaway ceremony for the English version of the third volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China.

Enditem