Wang Yi: China will never be a rival to the Philippines, even less a threat

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends a joint press conference with his Filipino counterpart Teodoro Locsin in the southern Philippine city of Davao, October 29, 2018. /MOFA Photo

China has never been and will never be a rival to the Philippines, and it has even less chance of being a threat, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday during a joint press conference with his newly appointed Filipino counterpart Teodoro Locsin.

Wang commended the meeting with Locsin in which the two reached the extensive consensus on the next step of high-level exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

The minister welcomed the achievements the Philippines gained under the well governance by Rodrigo Duterte since he was in power.

China will firmly support the Philippines to accelerate its economic and social development, Wang said, adding that the Philippines is an important hub for the Maritime Silk Road and a natural partner for the Belt and Road Initiative.

On national security and stability, China will firmly support the Philippines and continue to provide material support, intelligence sharing and capacity building.

This year marks the fifteenth anniversary of China and ASEAN strategic partnership established in 2003.

Thus, China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with the Philippines, jointly promote the upgrading of China-ASEAN relations and achieve greater development in east Asian cooperation.

When asked China's expectations and views on the future situation in the South China Sea, Wang hailed the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, describing it as the regional rules for peace and stability in the South China Sea which China and ASEAN countries jointly safeguard.

With the joint efforts of China and the Philippines and other countries in this region, calm has returned in recent years, and China will work with the Philippines and other ASEAN countries to strengthen dialogue and cooperation in order to eliminate external interference, he added.