Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), meets with Amelita Villarosa, acting speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives, in Manila, the Philippines, on Nov. 20, 2009. (Xinhua Photo)

China's top political advisor, Jia Qinglin, has met with Amelita Villarosa, acting speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives, a Chinese delegation official said Saturday.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), hailed the traditional friendship and growing bilateral ties between China and the Philippines during the meeting, which was held hours before he wrapped up his official goodwill visit to the Southeast Asian country Friday night.

"The year 2010 marks the 35th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between China and the Philippines, and we will work together with the Philippine side to further the bilateral ties, of which we are full of confidence," the CPPCC delegation official, who refused to be named, quoted Jia as saying during the meeting.

Jia spoke highly of the bilateral trade and economic cooperation between China and the Philippines, which "brought tangible benefits to the two peoples."

Some Chinese companies have taken an active part in projects aimed at improving the Filipinos' well-being, which were successful both economically and socially, he said.

The Chinese government will continue to encourage investment in the Philippines, strengthen cooperation in such fields as infrastructure construction, agriculture and tourism, and explore new ways to boost economic and trade ties, Jia said.

The Chinese side will also promote exchanges and cooperation with the Philippine parliament, Jia said, expressing appreciation to the Philippine parliament's long-time adherence to the one-China policy on the Taiwan issue.

Villarosa, for her part, thanked China for the aid supplied to the Philippines following devastating typhoons that hit the Southeast Asian nation, saying the relationship with China is of special significance in the Philippines' foreign relations.

She said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo had paid nine visits to China over recent years and traveled to southwest China's earthquake-hit province of Sichuan, which was an evidence of the special friendly relations between the two nations.

The Philippine House of Representatives will strive to boost bilateral exchanges and cooperation, especially in such fields as disaster prevention and relief, she said.

The Philippines is the first leg of Jia's four-nation tour, which will also take him to Peru, Ecuador and Brazil.