By People’s Daily
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s upcoming state visits to Brunei and the Philippines were of milestone significance to upgrade China’s ties with the two countries in the new era, a senior official told a press briefing hosted by the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.
His trip this time, lasting from Nov. 18 to 21, was not only Xi’s first visit to the two countries, but also the first visit to the two countries by a Chinese President in 13 years, Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou said.
Xi’s upcoming state visit to Brunei was a realization of historic mutual visits between the two heads of state in a short time span, Kong said, adding that this year marked the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the strategic cooperative partnership between the pair of friendly neighbors.
During the visit, the two leaders would make an overall planning on where bilateral relations would go in the next step, he said.
Kong added that both sides were expected to publish a joint statement to intensify their joint construction of the Belt and Road as well as people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
China and the Philippines were now increasingly uplifting their mutual political trust and moving in full swing to recover their cooperation, said Kong, stressing that the Philippines was a friendly neighbor and important partner of China.
The two countries will continue to deal with the South China Sea issue through dialogue and consultation and support each other on regional and multilateral occasions, according to the vice minister.
Leaders of the two countries would draw out new strategic plans on future bilateral relationship, comprehensively bolster pragmatic cooperation in all fields, and exchange in-depth views on international and regional issues of common concern, he added.
A joint statement is going to be announced as the two sides are preparing cooperation documents on trade, infrastructure, and cultural exchanges, according to Kong.
中国国家元首时隔13年再次往访文莱和菲律宾
中国国家主席习近平将于11月18日至21日对文莱、菲律宾进行国事访问。中国外交部13日举行中外媒体吹风会，中国外交部副部长孔铉佑介绍习近平对文莱和菲律宾进行国事访问的有关情况，并回答记者提问。
孔铉佑表示，此系习近平主席对文莱和菲律宾的首访，也是中国国家元首时隔13年再次往访，对新时期提升中文、中菲关系具有里程碑意义。中文是友好近邻，今年是中文建立战略合作关系5周年。习近平主席此次对文莱国事访问，将实现两国元首短期内历史性互访，共同为中文关系下步发展作出顶层设计。双方拟在此访期间发表联合声明，两国有关部门正在商谈涉及共建“一带一路”、人文交往等领域合作文件。
孔铉佑表示，菲律宾是中国的友好近邻和重要伙伴。当前，双方政治互信不断提升，各领域合作全面恢复发展，继续通过对话协商妥善处理南海问题，在区域和多边层面彼此支持。两国领导人将就中菲关系发展作出新的战略规划，全面提升各领域务实合作，并就共同关心的国际地区问题深入交换意见。双方拟在此访期间发表联合声明，两国有关部门正在商谈涉及经贸、基础设施建设、人文等多项合作文件。
