MANILA: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr arrived in China on Tuesday on a three-day state visit and expressed his enthusiasm for his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping as they work to strengthen bilateral ties.

"As I leave for Beijing, I will open a new chapter in our comprehensive, strategic cooperation with China," he told officials and diplomats, including the Chinese ambassador, before boarding his flight from an airport in the capital.

He added, "I look forward to my meeting with President Xi as we work to take our relationship to a higher momentum." "I hope it will bring many prospects and abundant opportunities for peace and development for the peoples of our two countries."

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He made reference to the territorial dispute between the two countries in the South China Sea when he said he wanted to talk about bilateral and regional political and security issues.

The problems between the Philippines and China, for example, are not between friends, he continued. "We will work to find solutions to problems that will benefit both of our countries equally."

China defied a 2016 ruling by a tribunal in The Hague that invalidated Beijing's claims to the waterway and now claims almost the entire South China Sea.

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The Philippines filed the lawsuit, claiming that China has since built artificial islands out of the disputed reef that resemble military bases with airplane runways and other structures.

According to a recent report from a Filipino military commander, the Chinese Coast Guard recently seized Chinese rocket debris, which was recovered by Filipino Navy personnel last month in the South China Sea.

China rejected the illegal acquisition. Marcos said he would seek more information about his Beijing trip.

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Marcos said they would seek cooperation in a number of areas, such as agriculture, energy, infrastructure, trade and investment, and held interactive talks with a large business delegation. During the visit, he said, they expect to sign over ten important bilateral agreements.

China accounts for 20% of the Philippines' exports, which is also an important source of foreign direct investment.