Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday said that China attaches great importance to its relations with the Philippines and is ready to work with the country to create normal, stable, healthy and friendly bilateral relationship.

Wang, who is on a visit to Manila, made these statements during a meeting with Philippine President Benigno Aquino III in Malacanang, the Philippine presidential palace in the country's capital, Chinese state media reported.

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Wang said that China wishes to appropriately settle the issues that are affecting bilateral relations between both countries - including their maritime dispute - through negotiation and dialogue. He is paying a working visit to the Philippines on the invitation of his Philippine counterpart Albert Del Rosario.

According to Xinhua, the Philippines and China are close neighbors and the two countries should seek peaceful coexistence and mutual development. Currently, the two countries are facing some difficulties in bilateral relations, which is not in their common interest.

Wang said China is committed to resolving important issues with the Philippines through negotiation and consultation, and wishes both nations can make joint efforts to find solutions at the earliest possible time.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III expressed the hope that the two sides can settle their disputes peacefully through talks. He also wishes a solution acceptable to both countries could be found.

The Philippines will host the APEC summit from Nov. 17 to 19 as the rotating chair of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). President Xi Jinping will represent China at the regional economic meeting.

The Chinese foreign minister said that Xi's presence at the APEC summit shows China's support for the host country and that China attaches great importance to APEC process.

He noted that APEC economies reached important consensus on regional cooperation during last year's summit held in Beijing. China hopes this year's summit would continue the momentum and further promote regional economic and trade cooperation, reported China Daily.

Aquino asked Wang Yi to take his greetings to President Xi, saying the Philippines is looking forward to President Xi's presence at the APEC summit in Manila.

He said the Philippines will spare no efforts to make President Xi's visit successful, pleasant and safe.

Aquino pledged that the APEC summit would focus on Asia-Pacific regional economic cooperation and would not touch on the issue of South China Sea.

Wang had met with his Philippine counterpart Albert Del Rosario on Tuesday.

Del Rosario said Wang's visit is an important step in improving bilateral relationship between both nations and establishing mutual trust, following the positive consensus reached by the leadership of the two countries during last year's APEC summit in Beijing.

TagsMetro Manila, Albert del Rosario, china and philippines conflict, china and phillippines relations, Benigno Aquino III, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation