Li's visit solidifies ties with Manila

As Premier Li Keqiang wrapped up his five-day visit to the Philippines on Thursday, experts said the first visit to Manila by a Chinese premier in 10 years will draw the two countries even closer together.

Guo Yanjun, deputy director of the Institute of Asian Studies at the China Foreign Affairs University, said the trip has been a milestone in improving China-Philippine ties, and will further consolidate China's relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which will contribute to the development of the East Asia economic community.

The five-day visit concluded with the issuance of a joint statement in which the two nations agreed to advance bilateral ties and further cooperate in the key areas of infrastructure, production capacity, investment, commerce, agriculture, improvement of livelihoods, culture and people-to-people exchanges on Thursday.