Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday called for opening a new chapter for Chinese-Philippine friendship and cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and equal treatment.

Addressing a meeting here with Aquilino Pimentel, Senate president of the Philippines, Li said the exchanges between the two countries have been long-standing and well-established.

Since Sino-Philippine relations were turned around last year, the bilateral ties have seen a positive momentum of improvement and development and bilateral cooperation has been promoted in all sectors, said Li.

Li said his visit is aimed to consolidate the momentum for the bilateral ties and make up the time and opportunities that were once lost.

Noting the parliamentary exchanges and people-to-people communication between the two countries have been more active, Li said this has demonstrated that a friendly bilateral relationship accords with the expectation of the peoples as well as the trend of the times.

He encouraged all walks of life from China and the Philippines to participate in the building of the bilateral relations so as to create conditions for enhancing mutual trust, deepening cooperation, and consolidating the public support for the long-term friendship.

For his part, Pimentel welcomed Li's visit to the Philippines and lauded China's attention to the bilateral ties.

He expressed thanks to China for providing support for the economic and social development and livelihood improvement in the Philippines, stressing that the country stands ready to strengthen the bilateral exchanges between legislative organs and political parties and to promote bilateral ties to a new high.