MANILA — The Philippines has made the case for China’s proposal to elevate its dialogue relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. made the pitch during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Retreat on Thursday. This would make China’s dialogue relations to the ASEAN from strategic partnership to comprehensive strategic partnership.

“All these should be taken into consideration as we study China’s proposed elevation of dialogue relations… The Philippines goes along with this proposal as China Coordinator; and to [bring] China’s case for it to this forum,” the foreign affairs chief pointed out in his intervention, a copy of which was released by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

He also emphasized that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi “made a good case for China’s proposition” to elevate relations when he visited Manila last week.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/22/21/ph-backs-chinas-proposal-to-upgrade-asean-relations