MANILA, Philippines (CCTV) — The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Eduardo Año, speaks highly of the idea of building a community of shared future for mankind stressed by Xi Jinping at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
Año, who is attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers’ Meeting in Clark Freeport on Monday, welcomed the ideas that Xi raised during the CPC National Congress, adding that developing countries should work hand in hand.
“It’s a very welcomed initiative. As one region, or one Asia, we should be helping each other, also in developing countries within the region,” said Año.
Xi mentioned in his report to congress that China will build a powerful and modernized military and combat system with distinctive Chinese characteristics.
Año expressed good will towards conducting exchange programs and expanding military cooperation with China.
“We will welcome the cooperation and the increasing working relationship between the Philippine and Chinese military. There are so many avenues where we can work together, especially in the aspect of intelligence, information exchange, to fight terrorism. Also in exercises where we can both develop the skills of our troops and probably exchange programs between our offices and officers of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, so we can send students, and vice versa. So [there are] many, many things where we can work together and develop the relationship closer,” said Año.