Image: Reuters Berita 24 English - China's foreign minister declared on Wednesday that Beijing was prepared to cooperate with the newly...
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| Image: Reuters |
Berita 24 English - China's foreign minister declared on Wednesday that Beijing was prepared to cooperate with the newly elected president of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in order to enable the two nations enter a "new golden age" of relations.
With the election of Marcos, that relationship "turned a new page," according to Wang Yi, who is in Southeast Asia at a time when US ally the Philippines is looking to increase its influence in the area.
In a meeting with his Philippine counterpart, Enrique Manalo, Wang remarked, "We highly appreciate President Marcos' recent commitment to pursuing friendly policy towards China and we speak highly of these recent words that have given out a very positive signal to the outside world."
Many analysts believed that China would benefit more from the election of Ferdinand Marcos, the late strongman's son who was overthrown in an uprising in 1986, than the United States. However, the new president has made it clear in public statements that close ties with Beijing will not come at the expense of sovereignty.
Marcos stated on Tuesday that he wanted their relationship to be about more than just a maritime conflict despite the fact that China's assertiveness and actions in the waters off the Philippines have long been a source of diplomatic strain.
Wang asserted that China shared Marcos' desire for closer ties with the United States.
We are prepared to cooperate with the Philippines in all areas moving forward and to work for the same goals, Wang added.
"I'm optimistic that by working together, the two sides, we will undoubtedly usher in a new era of unparalleled prosperity for the bilateral partnership."
Marcos must strike a delicate balance between fostering commercial connections with China and preserving a tight defence alliance with the United States, a former colonial power that continues to enjoy significant influence among the military and the populace.
