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BEIJING, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Philippine counterpart Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday agreed that the two countries will properly handle differences and achieve full improvement and greater progress in bilateral ties.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Philippine counterpart Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday agreed that the two countries will properly handle differences and achieve full improvement and greater progress in bilateral ties.

Calling the countries "neighbors across the sea," Xi said that though their relations have gone through twists and turns, the foundation of the China-Philippines friendship and the willingness to cooperate remain unchanged.

China highly values its relations with the Philippines, and is ready to work with the country to cement political trust and win-win cooperation, properly handle differences and become good partners, Xi said during talks with Duterte in Beijing.

He said managing differences in the South China Sea issue through dialogue and consultation is an important foundation for the healthy and stable growth of China-Philippines relations.

China supports the efforts of the new Philippine government in fighting against drug, terrorism and crime, and would like to conduct cooperation with the Philippines in these areas, Xi said.

China is ready to enhance cooperation with the Philippines under the framework of the Belt and Road initiative, he added.

Duterte is on a state visit to China from Tuesday to Friday. His China trip is his first official visit to a foreign country outside ASEAN since he took office in June.

Beijing-Manila ties had deteriorated due to the South China Sea arbitration case brought by Duterte's predecessor, Benigno Aquino III, against China.