Forum focuses on China-Philippines economic ties

Economic cooperation is key to strengthening relations between China and the Philippines, experts and senior officials said at the China-Philippines Business Forum held in Manila.

Participants in the forum on Monday stressed that the two countries' centuries-long trade ties, China's rising investments in the Philippines and the 29 cooperation agreements signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping's Nov 20-21 state visit to the Philippine capital had deepened bilateral relations.

The one-day forum, which focused on the theme "Taking the China-Philippines Relations to New Heights", was organized by China Daily and sponsored by Bank of China. Representatives from the Philippine and Chinese government, business, academic and media sectors attended the event at the Grand Hyatt Manila.