BEIJING, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao set forth four proposals to further Sino-Philippine relations during his talks with Philippine president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo here Wednesday.

  Hu proposed that in order to maintain high-level contact, dialogue and exchange at all levels, the governments of the two countries should step up consultation and cooperation and hold a ceremony to mark the 30th anniversary of forging diplomatic ties between the two countries. 

  He also proposed that the countries expand economic and trade cooperation, improve trade commodity structures and maintain high growth rates in bilateral trade. He said the nations should deepen cooperation in agricultural technology, machinery and fine seed strains cultivation and expand cooperation in infrastructure construction and natural resource exploration.

  Moreover, he proposed strengthening exchange and cooperation in culture, education and tourism and other relate fields, and improving cooperation in security and judicial aspects in a bid to crack down cross-border crimes more effectively.

  Finally, he suggested that the two countries handle all concrete issues in bilateral relations as they arise and that they be good neighbors, good friends and good partners forever.

  China-Philippines trade hit 9.4 billion US dollars in 2003, surging 78.7 percent year on year, according to relevant figures released by the Chinese government.

  Arroyo arrived in Beijing Wednesday afternoon to continue her three-day state visit to China at the invitation of Hu Jintao.

  Beijing is the second leg of Arroyo's China tour, following a short visit to Guangzhou in south China's Guangdong province Wednesday morning. Arroyo will also travel to Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi province.

  After her state visit, Arroyo will deliver the keynote speech at the Third International Conference of Asian Political Parties. 

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