Excellency, Ambassador Wu Hongbo,
Excellency, Vice Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Ambassador Salem Adam
Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Colleagues in Government,
Leaders of the Chinese-Filipino community,
Friends,

On behalf of the Philippine Government and people, may I convey warmest greetings of felicitation on the occasion of the 56th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

The Philippines values its relations with China.  Our friendship, cultural affinity and shared history predate our 30 years of formal diplomatic relations established in 1975.

Today, we enjoy a flourishing and deepening relationship characterized by wider cooperative engagement in both bilateral and multilateral fronts.

The year 2005 witnessed many significant milestones in our bilateral relations.  We opened new avenues for cooperation in fisheries, seismic research, youth affairs, mining, infrastructure, sports, defense and education.

The continuing commitment of both our nations to further strengthen political ties was also emphasized this year with the high level interaction and dialogue between President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and President Hu Jintao, who met at the sidelines of the United Nations World Summit.

During the meeting, our Leaders discussed possible cooperation in energy security – an area with immense implications on the sustainable growth of our two countries.

This initiative is both responsive and forward-looking as it acknowledges our common stake in one of the most important issues that confront the world today.

With the imprimatur of President Arroyo and President Hu, our two governments are now outlining plans in energy cooperation.

We likewise achieved new heights in economic partnership this year with intensified trade, even as we sustain the exploration of widened opportunities to strengthen our economies for our peoples’ mutual benefit.

And as we build on the gains of our reinvigorated bilateral relations, we sustain efforts to move forward our shared vision of a stable, secure and prosperous region across various multilateral fora.

Among others, we are solidifying the groundwork for the creation of the East Asian Community with ASEAN and other countries, motivated by the realization that we hold common aspirations and share the responsibilities of responding to the challenges of the 21st century because of the parallel destinies of our Asian countries.

For the world, the Philippines and China likewise share the vision of a global community free from want and fear and whose citizens are free to live in dignity.  Towards this end, the Philippines and China are partners in the efforts to strengthen the United Nations to make it more responsive to today’s geopolitical realities and global challenges.

With our futures inextricably linked, we look boldy to facing the challenges of tomorrow, fortified by our shared past and the imperatives of the present.

Through our joint efforts, I am confident that we can realize the fullest potentials of the Philippines and China’s bilateral and multilateral relationships toward the fulfillment of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and President Hu Jintao shared vision of a golden age of partnership.

On this note, may I invite everyone to join me in a toast –

To the enduring friendship between our nations and peoples; and,

To the development and prosperity of the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China.

Mabuhay!