China's Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua has said that Beijing is looking forward to enhancing Sino-Philippine military cooperation following Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's recent announcement that Manila will end its annual joint military exercise with the US starting next year.

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Ties between Manila and Washington have been under strain after Duterte declared an end to the joint exercises and the Philippines' joint patrols with the US in the disputed South China Sea.

Zhao said Beijing is looking to enhance its military ties with the Philippines. Both nations have been bitter foes over territorial issues in the disputed South China Sea.

Military arms

"I think, first of all, because of the differences we have in the South China Sea, the two militaries need to talk to each other to enhance trust and mutual confidence to avoid incidents of misunderstanding because no country, including China and the Philippines, wants conflict or tension," he told reporters during an embassy function last week.

Duterte earlier announced that Manila would start buying military arms and equipment from China and Russia in an apparent turnaround from the US market where the Philippines has bought about 75 percent of its arms.

Zhao said that besides military deals, Beijing wants to explore cooperation with Manila in various sectors such as technology, transportation, infrastructure, agriculture, commerce, and fisheries.

Brothers

"Investments from China in the Philippines, it's going to be very good for the economic and social development of the Philippines. And China is willing to be an active participant in President Duterte's socioeconomic agenda. The Philippines and China are good neighbors and we are brothers." Zhao said.

Zhao said Chinese and Philippine diplomats have been busy laying the groundwork for Duterte's first official state visit to China.

"I think warming up relations with China has its own merits ... we will promote not only friendship and cooperation between the two countries, but we will also contribute to the development of the Philippines," he said.

TagsSino-Philippine military cooperation, china, Philippines, military arms, South China Sea