China's top legislator Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao met in Beijing Thursday with visiting Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Blas Ople.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), said that Sino-Philippine relations have progressed smoothly in recent years, citing the frequent visits between leaders of the two countries that have made great contributions to the development of bilateral relations, and the fruitful economic and trade cooperation with broad prospects.

He said the NPC and the Philippine parliament have expanded exchanges and cooperation and maintained sound coordination and cooperation in multilateral mechanisms including the Association of Asian Parliaments for Peace (AAPP), which have contributed positively to the development of Sino-Philippine relations and the promotion of peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Wu said he will attend the fourth annual session of the AAPP in Manila, the Philippines, and visit the country at the invitation of leaders of the Philippine parliament.

He hoped the visit will help further consolidate the traditional Sino-Philippine friendship, strengthen bilateral cooperation of mutual benefits and contribute to peace and development in Asia.

Wen said China and the Philippines are friendly neighbors, and with the concerted efforts, the bilateral relations of the two countries have entered a new stage of development, referring to the increasingly active contacts at various levels between the two countries, the growing bilateral trade and fruitful cooperation in such fields as agriculture and infrastructure, and their positive efforts for peace and stability in the South China Sea.

He said the new Chinese government will, in the principle of treating neighbors in a friendly way and taking neighbors as partners, continue to push forward the development of friendship and cooperation.

Ople said the Philippine parliament and government are expecting Wu's visit, believing the visit will make important contributions to the further development of bilateral friendship.

He said the Philippine government attaches great importance to its relations with China, adheres to the one-China policy, and appreciates China's support for the Philippines' efforts for safeguarding domestic stability and promoting economic development.

The Philippines thinks highly of the importance China has placed on its relations with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), and will work with China to jointly promote the process of building a free trade area between China and ASEAN.

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing held talks with Ople here Thursday, and they exchanged views on Sino-Philippine relations, China-ASEAN cooperation and the Korean nuclear issue.
  
(Xinhua News Agency August 22, 2003)