On April 18, 2008, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun had a courtesy meeting in the Chinese Foreign Ministry with Philippine Ambassador to China Sonia Brady and the Philippine Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs. Director General Wei Wei and Deputy Director General Qiu Xuejun of the Department of Consular Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry were present at the meeting.

Zhai spoke highly of China-Philippines relations and bilateral consular cooperation, saying that the discussion on the signing of a bilateral consular agreement meets the needs of the development of consular relations between the two countries. Zhai expressed hope that both sides will make joint efforts to strive for its early signing based on the spirit of mutual benefits and win-win results.

Brady said the Philippines attaches importance to developing consular cooperation with China. As China is the first country to discuss the signing of bilateral consular agreement with the Philippines, it is of great significance to ensure its success. The Philippine side looked forward to pushing bilateral consular ties to a new level through the signing of the consular agreement so as to promote bilateral ties, Brady added.