The article reminded "every one of us that China and the Philippines are ancient friends; that their relationship started even before the Westerners discovered the country," he said.

Xi's article "concretely shows good will and builds confidence on both sides," Flores said, adding that the warm relations will usher in peace.

Peter Chua, one of the leaders of the Filipino-Chinese community and chairman of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Association of the Philippines, recalled that many Chinese born on China's southeast coast sailed across the sea to settle in the Philippines more than 600 years ago.

"China and the Philippines are close neighbors separated by a narrow strip of water. The two peoples are enjoying a long history of friendship. Just as President Xi points out in his article that China and the Philippines are very close to each other in terms of geographical location, ancestral ties and cultural backgrounds," Chua said.

The Chinese immigrants and the Filipinos continue "to live in harmony, intermarried and blended with the Philippine culture," Chua said.

"We believe President Xi's visit to the Philippines will further enhance the relations; and I also believe that the two peoples will have a better future together," Chua added.

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