China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrives in the Philippines on Friday, January 15, 2020. Photo courtesy of DFA
MANILA, Philippines — Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has assured on Saturday that China will stand with the Philippines until the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is “defeated.”
“So let me emphasize that in the process of the Philippine people’s response to COVID-19, China as a friend of the Philippines and your closest neighbor, we will firmly stand with the people of the Philippines until the defeat of this virus,” Wang said in Mandarin, during his official visit to the Philippines.
Wang also noted that Covid-19 response and economic recovery will be the top two priorities for China and the Philippines.
“So we would like to suggest is that our two countries work together – focusing on Covid response and mutually beneficial cooperation and at sustained and new momentum to our relationship,” he said.
Wang added that ties between China and the Philippines have “withstood” the test of the Covid-19 pandemic as he assured the Philippines of access to China’s stock of vaccines against Covid-19.
“And in our discussion today, we will also share with you my old friend, China’s stocks and announcements of China’s decision regarding vaccine cooperation,” Wang said.
Earlier, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. stressed that the fight against Covid-19 “deepened” relations between China and the Philippines.
READ: Locsin says Covid-19 fight ‘enhanced’ China-PH relations
Wang arrived in the Philippines on Jan. 15, Friday after accepting Locsin’s invitation to visit the country. He will only stay in the country until this Saturday.