China and the Philippines on Tuesday held their second round of defense and security consultations.

 

The Chinese delegation was headed by Zhang Qinsheng, assistant chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, and the Philippine delegation, by Antonio Santos, undersecretary of the Department of National Defense of the Philippines.

 

They exchanged view on international and regional situations, relations between the two military forces, and other issues of common concern.

 

The consultative mechanism was established by the two defense ministries when Chinese President Hu Jintao visited the Philippines last year.

 

Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan also met Santos Tuesday.

 

Cao, also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and state councilor, said China and the Philippines have enjoyed traditional friendship for centuries.

 

The two sides established strategic cooperative relations when Chinese President Hu Jintao visited the Philippines last year, he said.

 

China-Philippines relations have developed in an all-round way since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 31 years ago.

 

The exchanges between the two militaries have also witnessed healthy and stable development in recent years, said Cao.

 

China will work with the Philippines to enhance pragmatic cooperation in various fields and advance the good-neighborly cooperation based on mutual respect, Cao said.

 

Cao appreciated the Philippines' adherence to the one-China policy, hoping it could continue supporting China on the Taiwan question and work with China to maintain peace and stability in the region.

 

Santos spoke highly of the relations between the two countries and two militaries, saying the Philippines will make joint efforts with China to safeguard regional stability and boost common development.

 

He reiterated that the Philippines will continue to abide by the one-China policy.

 

Santos arrived in Beijing Monday, starting his five-day visit to China as guest of the Defense Ministry.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 10, 2006)