Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in Singapore on Tuesday that his country will deepen friendly cooperation with the Philippines.

The relations between the two countries are of good momentum as they respect each other in politics, make consultations on equal footing, and keep coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, said Wen while meeting with Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on the sidelines of the on-going13th ASEAN Summit here.

To jointly develop the South China Sea will help stabilize the region and conform to the common interests of the two countries, Wen added.

Arroyo said China is Philippines' important cooperative partner and the Philippines attaches great importance to its relations with China. The Philippines will firmly adhere to the One-China policy and is opposed to any activities of the "Taiwan independence," she added.

(Xinhua News Agency November 21, 2007)