On September 9, 2007, Chinese President Hu Jintao met in Sydney with Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

In recent years, China and the Philippines have maintained frequent high-level visits, with an increase in mutual political trust and the achievement of significant progress in mutually-beneficial cooperation in various areas, said the Chinese president. "To deepen bilateral strategic cooperation conforms to the common interests of both countries and peoples, and is conducive to regional peace, stability and prosperity," he said. The Chinese president said that China is willing to maintain its close cooperation with the Philippines to further develop strategic cooperation between the two countries.

Arroyo said the Philippine government and the Philippine people treasure the feelings of friendship with the Chinese government and the Chinese people. China's help has played an important role in her country's priority development areas, Arroyo added, expressing deep thanks for the assistance.

On economic and trade cooperation, Hu said he hoped the two sides, based on the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples, to further promote their mutually-beneficial cooperation in various fields in an active and steady way. Arroyo said the Philippine side hoped to link its development with China's economic development, particularly with the development of China's western part, in a bid to strengthen cooperation on mining, infrastructure construction and tourism.

On the joint development of the South China Sea, Hu said, China and the Philippines are important forces in promoting peace, stability, and common development of the South China Sea. The joint development of the South China Sea has made progress, Hu said. He hoped the concerned parties would continue to cooperate in the next phase, and enhance the cooperation to make substantial progress at an early date. Arroyo said the achievements made in the joint development of the South China Sea are "encouraging," and the Philippines is ready to continue to push forward the process.

Wang Gang, alternate member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, also attended the meeting.