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Chinese commerce minister postpones Philippines trip

Xinhua, February 23, 2017 Adjust font size:

Chinese Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng has postponed his visit to the Philippines "due to scheduling matters," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang on Thursday.

Geng was responding to a question regarding the postponement of Gao's trip that is expected to see the signing of trade agreements with the Philippines, according to media reports.

"The meeting of China-Philippines joint commission on economic and trade cooperation will be postponed for scheduling matters," Geng told a routine press briefing, adding that the two sides are still committed to preparatory work at present.

When asked to comment on Philippine Foreign Minister Perfecto Yasay's recent remarks regarding the South China Sea, Geng said China hoped Yasay could follow the consensus reached by the two heads of states, speak and act prudently, and contribute to bilateral relations and regional peace and stability.

Geng said Yasay's remarks also went against the common aspirations of regional countries in safeguarding peace and stability of the South China Sea and boosting regional cooperation.

Yasay said Tuesday that Southeast Asian countries see China's installation of weapons systems in the South China Sea as very unsettling and want to prevent militarization, according to media reports.

"Mr Yasay's recent comments ran counter to the consensus between the two countries' top leaders, and are not compatible with the healthy and rapid growth of bilateral relations and stability in the South China Sea," Geng said. Endi