The Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) hosted a reception in Beijing on June 10 to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines.

Addressing the reception, Chen Haosu, president of CPAFFC, said that the relationship between China and the Philippines has grown rapidly with increasing high-level exchanges and the expansion of cooperation in economy, culture, science and technology, and tourism.

Chen said, as developing countries in Asia, China and the Philippines are highly complementary in economy with great potential markets. Cementing the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries is not only the need of their own development, but also conducive to the expansion of their common interests.

"China is willing to make good cooperative relations with neighboring countries and lift the Sino-Philippine cooperation to a new high," said Chen.

Philippine Ambassador to China Willy Gaa said the current relations between the two countries have entered "a golden age of partnership." Bilateral ties have grown vibrantly over the years and have widened so as to encompass cooperation in the political, defense and security, trade, tourism, agriculture and other important fields.

Gaa said he believes the frequent exchanges reflect "the strong bonds of friendship between Filipino and Chinese people and will inspire the further enhancement of mutual understanding between the two peoples."

Chen and Gaa also unveiled the First Day Cover of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries at the reception.

More than 150 guests from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, CPAFFC and the Philippine Embassy in Beijing were present on the occasion.

Prior to the reception, Chen and Gaa also attended an exhibition of the Filipino artist Rachy Cuna with the title "Joureast (Journey to the east): Passage to Beijing".

Source: Xinhua