08:47, May 24, 2011
Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Liang Guanglie(L) shakes hands with Philippine President Benigno Aquino III during his visit at the Malacanan Palace in Manila, the Philippines, on May 23, 2011. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)
Philippine President Benigno Aquino III met with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Liang Guanglie in Manila Monday, hoping to promote all-round development between the two countries.
At the meeting, Aquino said that China is an important neighbor of the Philippines. Bilateral ties have been developing smoothly in recent years. The two sides have had frequent political exchanges, close economic cooperation and expanded contacts in other fields in recent years.
The Philippine side is satisfied with the development of defense relations of the two countries, Aquino said, expressing the hope that the two armed forces could strengthen exchanges and cooperation, and promote all-round development of relations between the two countries to contribute to regional safety and stability.
Liang lauded the great progress achieved in Sino-Philippine relations over the past 36 years.
Liang said, "the defense relations of the two countries remain the momentum of healthy and stable growth. The exchanges and cooperation have gradually expanded in all fields and gained good results."
China is willing to work with the Philippines to enhance strategic mutual trust and push forward the relations between the two countries and the two armed forces in an all-round way to contribute regional development and prosperity.
Liang arrived in the Philippines on Saturday for an official goodwill visit at the invitation of Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. This was the last leg of Liang's three-nation visit in Southeast Asia, which has taken him to Singapore and Indonesia.