[Philippine President Marcos meets with Qin Gang] on April 22, local time, Philippine President Marcos met with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang in Manila. Marcos asked Qin Gang to convey his regards to President Xi Jinping, saying that 48 years ago, my father, the late President Marcos, and the older generation of Chinese leaders made the correct decision to establish diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China, leaving a precious legacy. For a long time, the Philippines and China have maintained close exchanges and cooperation has achieved fruitful results. The Taiwan issue is China's internal affair, and the Philippines will, as always, abide by the one-China policy. The Philippine side will adhere to independence, do not choose sides, and is willing to deepen Philippine-Chinese friendship, expand cooperation, strengthen communication, and properly handle maritime issues, so as not to interfere with the overall situation of bilateral relations and safeguard regional peace and prosperity. Qin Gang conveyed President Xi Jinping's regards to President Marcos, saying that the course since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines has fully proved that mutual respect, friendly coexistence, trustworthiness, and mutually beneficial cooperation are in the fundamental interests of both sides, and the positive and negative experiences and lessons are worth learning. In the face of the new situation and new challenges, the two sides should firmly grasp the correct direction of bilateral relations, conduct in-depth communication, enhance mutual trust, overcome difficulties, eliminate interference, create good conditions for promoting cooperation, and ensure that Sino-Philippine relations continue to develop along the right track of health and stability. Qin Gang pointed out that during President Marcos's visit to China at the beginning of this year, the two sides issued a joint statement confirming that the two countries should be good neighbors, good relatives and good partners, and hoped that the Philippines would make joint efforts with China to realize this beautiful vision. It is hoped that the Philippine side will correctly grasp the general historical trend, focus on the overall situation of regional peace and stability, proceed from the fundamental interests of the two peoples, properly handle Taiwan-related and sea-related issues, earnestly respond to China's legitimate concerns, respect China's sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, and implement its commitment to strategic autonomy and not taking sides. China proposes to further improve the sea-related liaison mechanism and control the situation. On the same day, Qin Gang also called on Philippine Vice President Sarah and former President Duterte, and held talks with Philippine Foreign Minister Manaro.