Chinese and Philippine leaders said in Beijing Monday that ties between the two countries are at a "golden period" and they pledged to make more efforts to enhance bilateral strategic cooperation.

 

"Our relationship is at its highest level in history and in its golden period," Philippine Senate President Franklin Drilon said in a meeting with senior Chinese leader Jia Qinglin.

 

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), echoed with Drilon, saying that the China-Philippines ties have developed comprehensively and profoundly over the past 31 years and brought about concrete benefits to the two peoples.

 

He referred to their cooperation in jointly exploring resources in the South China Sea, saying that the agreement had made historical contribution in terms of turning the water area into a field of friendship and cooperation.

 

He also expressed China's appreciation to the Philippine Senate for its firm adherence to the one-China policy.

 

Jia hopes the two sides would join efforts to safeguard regional peace and stability.

 

Drilon was here at the invitation of Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC).

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 18, 2006)