Q: Philippine President Aquino III stated that he had decided not to come to China for the China-ASEAN Expo. What is China's comment?

A: China values the long-standing friendship between the Chinese and the Philippines and attaches importance to developing the bilateral relations. Under the current circumstances, China hopes the Philippine side could work together with the Chinese side to overcome difficulties and disturbances and make real efforts to get the China-Philippines relationship back to the track of sound and stable development.

China welcomes and supports the active participation in the China-ASEAN Expo by ASEAN countries including the Philippines in a bid to turn the Expo into an important platform for the enhancement of friendly exchanges and cooperation between China and ASEAN countries and make greater contribution to promoting China-ASEAN strategic partnership.