Philippines, China mark 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties

June 9, 2020

Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China bloomed into a new partnership for mutual benefits and progress despite maritime dispute over some territories in the South China Sea.

“The feeling of warm friendship has not cooled, let alone been lost, not even in our differences. But under President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, that old friendship has flowered into a new partnership for mutual profit and progress,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said in a two-page message on the 45th anniversary of the Philippines and China’s diplomatic ties.

Locsin  said Manila is grateful for the established friendship with Beijing.

“Among the first full state visits made by the new President of the newly restored Philippine democracy was to China. It came off very well and most warmly like a visit to long lost relatives… After all, the People’s Republic of China was among the first to recognize the restored democracy and its elected government,” said Locsin.

Locsin noted how former President Ferdinand Marcos boldly established diplomatic relations with China in 1975.

“Since then there has never been a break in the friendship of our peoples,” Locsin said.

“The East is Red with the warmth of Filipino-Chinese friendship,”added Locsin. DMS