Chinese FM Qin meets Philippine President Marcos

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and his foreign secretary met Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Saturday. Marcos said Qin's visit was helpful in talking things through and continuing work on growing the relationship between the two neighbours.

Qin and his counterpart, Philippines' Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo, discussed views on strategic and regional issues during bilateral talks that started earlier on Saturday.Qin described China and the Philippines as "close neighbours across the sea".

The two countries seek to deepen economic ties, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement after the talks.The Philippine leader described the meeting as "very useful" and "very productive".