19.Both sides will encourage cooperation in the area of information and communications technology (ICT) to improve their respective technology and service capabilities.
20.Both sides recognize that the growing Chinese tourist arrivals in the Philippines over the past years have contributed to the economic growth of the Philippines. Both sides will encourage their citizens to travel to each other's country, strengthen cooperation in tourism infrastructure development and encourage airlines to open more direct flights between cities of the two countries, in order to further facilitate people-to-people exchanges.
21.The two sides fully recognize the importance of education exchanges including technical vocational education and training (TVET) and cooperation in enhancing the understanding and friendship between the two countries, and encourage relevant government agencies and educational institutions of various types and levels to engage in active cooperation.
China will provide an additional 50 Chinese Government Scholarships Grants for Philippine students on an annual basis from 2019-2021. Both sides will implement the Executive Program of Cultural Agreement between China and the Philippines for 2019-2023 signed during the visit and encourage their cultural institutions and groups to increase exchange of visits.
China will set up a Chinese Culture Center in the Philippines. Both sides support more twinning agreements between their cities and provinces.
22. Both sides agree to strengthen bilateral relations in the field of labor and employment and commit to implement the Memorandum of Understanding on the Employment of Filipino Teachers of English Language in China which was signed on 10 April 2018 in Boao, China, and welcome the implementation of arrangements for Filipino teachers of the English language working in China. The MOU signifies China's cognizance of the qualifications and competence of Filipino teachers to work in tertiary educational institutions as teachers of the English language. The MOU also endeavors for both countries to ensure the protection and promotion of the welfare of teachers while working onsite.
23.The Philippines welcomes the official launch of the Chinese Consulate-General in Davao City. Reciprocal arrangements for diplomatic premises in both countries will be made in the spirit of the 1975 Joint Communique, on the basis of international practice and reciprocity, with priority given to the most immediate concerns.
24.Both sides exchanged views on issues regarding the South China Sea, and reaffirmed that contentious issues are not the sum total of China-Philippines bilateral relations and should not exclude mutually beneficial cooperation in other fields. Both sides also reaffirm the importance of maintaining and promoting regional peace and stability, freedom of navigation in and over-flight above the South China Sea. Both sides stay committed to addressing disputes by peaceful means, without resorting to the threat or use of force, through friendly consultations and negotiations by sovereign states directly concerned, and in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations and the 1982 UNCLOS.
