TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang (田中光) attended the celebration of 126 years of Philippine independence in Taipei, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Saturday (June 15).

The reception, organized by the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), took place Friday (June 14) evening. Tien emphasized the two country’s friendship and their common Austronesian roots, MOFA said.

As one of Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy target countries, the Philippines was its eighth largest export market, its ninth largest trading partner, and its tenth largest source of imports. In addition to sharply growing investment by Taiwan in the Philippines, the two countries were also partners sharing the same values of freedom and democracy, MOFA said.

Both Taipei and Manila supported peace and stability in the face of unprecedented regional threats, according to MOFA. The ministry mentioned comments made by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the recent Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore emphasizing the importance of peace in the Taiwan Strait.

In his address, Philippines representative Silvestre Bello III said this was the time for partners who shared views on democracy and freedom to cooperate against threats. Lani Mercado-Revilla, a member of the Philippine House of Representatives, also attended the Taipei event, voicing her support for the bilateral relationship.