Chinese envoy pays first courtesy visit to Defense chief Teodoro

Photo from the Department of National Defense

MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines paid a courtesy visit to Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro for the first time since the official assumed his post, the Department of National Defense (DND) said on Thursday.

Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian visited Teodoro in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Wednesday.

During the meeting, both of them highlighted the enhancement of defense relations of both countries through the implementation of existing bilateral mechanisms and dialogue platforms, such as the Philippines-China Annual Defense and Security Talks which Beijing is set to host.

“Secretary Teodoro emphasized the need to sustainably develop institutions through a bottom-up approach and follow through in effectively implementing existing mechanisms,” the DND said in a statement.

Teodoro also brought up the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) modernization during the meeting.

“Furthermore, Secretary Teodoro lauded China for its vision of a powerful nation, which he likened to the capability upgrade of the AFP,” the DND said.

“In the same breath, Secretary Teodoro underscored that a strong AFP will serve as the ‘bedrock’ for regional stability and resiliency in the force of external threats, and emphasized that the Philippines’ defense capability building efforts will always be in line with the Philippines’ national interests,” it added.

For his part, Xilian said he and Teodoro “had a constructive discussion on promoting defense and military relations between China and the Philippines, and maintaining peace and stability in the region.”

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