Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang visited the Philippines for a three-day visit amid rising tensions between China and the Philippines-US war games. Qin arrived in Manila on Wednesday and met with Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. to discuss issues concerning the South China Sea dispute, the coronavirus pandemic, and ways to improve bilateral relations. The visit comes as the Philippines and the US conducted joint military exercises in the South China Sea, which China views as provocative.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry hopes that Qin’s visit will improve communication and trust between China and the Philippines. The ministry stated that both China and the Philippines have stated their commitment to promoting peace, cooperation, and mutual benefit, and that Qin’s visit is aimed at implementing these commitments. The ministry also emphasized that China believes that dialogue and cooperation are essential to resolving disputes and that the two countries should work together to maintain regional stability.
Meanwhile, Australian Trade Minister Dan Tehan is set to visit the Philippines from April 20-25 to boost economic ties between the two countries. Tehan’s visit aims to strengthen trade and investment links between Australia and the Philippines, which have been negatively affected by the pandemic. In a statement, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that the visit will provide an opportunity to explore opportunities to expand economic cooperation, particularly in the areas of agriculture, education, and digital trade.
The DFA welcomed Tehan’s visit and expressed confidence that it will further enhance the long-standing relations between the Philippines and Australia. DFA Undersecretary Brigido Dulay stressed the importance of maintaining close ties, particularly amidst the challenges brought about by the pandemic. He also highlighted Australia’s role in providing assistance to the Philippines in various areas, including education, health, and disaster relief.
In summary, the visits of the Chinese Foreign Minister and the Australian Trade Minister to the Philippines aim to strengthen bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of economic cooperation and mutual benefit. The Chinese Foreign Minister’s visit comes amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, while the Australian Trade Minister’s visit seeks to address the negative impact of the pandemic on trade and investment links between Australia and the Philippines. Both visits are expected to enhance communication and trust between the respective countries and maintain regional stability.
