
BEIJING, Nov. 17 -- China will explore the possibility of establishing an economic and trade cooperation zone in the Philippines as part of the two countries' efforts to advance bilateral ties, a Chinese official said Thursday.
China is willing to increase imports from the Philippines and encourage Chinese firms to expand investment there, Ministry of Commerce (MOC) spokesperson Sun Jiwen told a press conference.
The two countries will also sign a pact on economic and technological cooperation for the 2017-2022 period, and China will consider providing financial support for infrastructure projects in the Philippines, Sun said.
The moves were discussed during a visit by an MOC delegation to the Philippines this week, following the consensus reached by the two countries' leaders on economic cooperation during Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's state visit to China last month, according to the spokesperson.
Duterte's visit came amid deteriorating China-Philippines ties due to the country's unilateral filing of the South China Sea arbitration case against China, which was initiated by Duterte's predecessor, Benigno Aquino III.
Bilateral trade between China and the Philippines rose 4.2 percent year on year to 38.6 billion U.S. dollars in the first 10 months of 2016, customs data show.
Chinese firms have invested billions of dollars in multiple economic and trade cooperation zones in foreign countries in a bid to promote economic ties.
Read more:
Fire brigade in Shanghai holds group wedding
Tourists enjoy ice sculptures in Datan Town, north China
Sunset scenery of Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an
Tourists have fun at scenic spot in Nanlong Town, NW China
Harbin attracts tourists by making best use of ice in winter
In pics: FIS Alpine Ski Women's World Cup Slalom
Black-necked cranes rest at reservoir in Lhunzhub County, Lhasa
China's FAST telescope will be available to foreign scientists in April
"She power" plays indispensable role in poverty alleviation
Top 10 world news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 China news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 media buzzwords of 2020
Year-ender:10 major tourism stories of 2020
No interference in Venezuelan issues
Biz prepares for trade spat
Broadcasting Continent
Australia wins Chinese CEOs as US loses