President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. expressed on Friday his intention to strengthen the relationship between the Philippines and China in the areas of tourism, agriculture, commerce and investment, and infrastructure.

The Philippines and China celebrated the 48th anniversary of diplomatic ties, as well as the 22nd Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day on Friday, June 9.

“With hundreds of years of interactions between our peoples serving as a solid foundation for our flourishing ties, I am honored to witness the continued friendship between the Philippines and China as we move forward in the spirit of mutual cooperation and mutual respect,” Marcos said in a Facebook post.

Marcos added that he looks forward to further expanding bilateral ties between the Philippines and China, particularly in key sectors of tourism, agriculture, commerce and investment, and infrastructure.

He then reminisced about the formal establishment of Philippines-China diplomatic relations under the administration of his father former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. The historic visit led to the establishment of formal diplomatic ties between the two countries and 48 years of a strong relationships with each other.

“I am proud to have been part in laying the groundwork as former First First Lady Imelda Marcos and I had the chance to interact with former Chinese Chairman Mao Zedong in 1974, paving the way for my father’s historic visit to China in 1975,” Marcos said.

On June 9, 1975, the Philippines and China established diplomatic ties wherein former president Gloria Arroyo declared it as Filipino-China Friendship Day in 2002.

Written by Stephanie Anne Santos, DZRH News Online Intern