(UPDATE) Chinese ambassador presents letter of credence to Aquino

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua presented today the Letter of Credence to President Benigno Simeon Aquino III.  

The Chinese ambassador held a brief meeting with President Aquino after his presentation of the Letter of Credence. Both sides exchanged views on China-Philippines relations and the South China Sea issue.

Ambassador Zhao reiterated Chinese government's relevant principled position. He emphasized that China attaches importance to its relations with the Philippines. The current difficulties in the bilateral relations, caused by some problems, including the arbitration case on the South China Sea issue, are not what the Chinese side wishes to see, and are not in the common interests of both China and the Philippines.

It is China's hope that the Philippine side could, in the spirit of seeking common grounds while shelving differences, work with the Chinese side to properly handle relevant disputes, and to overcome obstacles and bring the bilateral ties back to the normal track of development, Zhao said.

Zhao arrived in Manila on Feb. 23 and presented the copy of the Letter of Credence to Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario on March 7.