二是抓住机遇，维护周边稳定合作大局。

Second, we have seized opportunities to maintain stability and promote cooperation in our neighborhood.

今年我们在周边方向最引人瞩目的一项成果毫无疑问就是中菲关系实现转圜。前几年由于菲律宾前政府在对华交往上采取对抗做法，使中菲关系跌入谷底，不仅不符合菲律宾人民的利益，也干扰了地区各国致力于和平稳定的努力。今年杜特尔特总统就任后，首次对东盟以外的国事访问就选择了中国，选择了对华友好。中国也向菲律宾人民张开友谊之臂，伸出合作之手。习近平主席热情接待了杜特尔特总统，双方就全面改善发展中菲关系达成重要共识。中菲关系的这一华丽转身，标志着南海问题重回对话协商解决的正确轨道，意味着有关国家利用南海问题搅乱地区的图谋彻底破产，也为中国与东盟国家进一步深化合作扫除了障碍。

When it comes to our neighborhood, the most notable achievement we have made this year is without doubt the turnaround in China's relations with the Philippines. The confrontational approach taken by the previous Philippine government in the last couple of years on its relations with China has plunged the bilateral ties to rock bottom, which is not in the Philippine people's interest. It also hampered the efforts of the countries in this region to maintain peace and stability. After assuming office, President Rodrigo Duterte chose China as the destination of his first state visit to a non-ASEAN country, demonstrating his commitment to growing friendly relations with China. China also responded with open arms for friendship and cooperation with the Philippine people. President Xi warmly received President Duterte and the two sides reached important agreement on improving and growing bilateral ties in all respects. This commendable turnaround in China-Philippines ties marks the return of the South China Sea issue to the right track of dialogue and consultation and the complete failure of certain countries' ruse to make use of the issue to mess up the region. It has also removed stumbling blocks to deeper cooperation between China and ASEAN countries.

今年，我们加强了同周边重要邻国的交往与合作。习主席成功访问柬埔寨，谱写了中柬友谊的历史新篇章。柬埔寨国家虽小，但不畏强权压力，主持公道正义，坚持对华友好。我们重视并珍惜这份沉甸甸的情谊。习主席的金边之行，对外发出了中国力挺老朋友的清晰信号，必将产生超越中柬双边关系的积极和广泛影响。习主席访问孟加拉国，是我国元首30年来首次到访，将中孟互信和务实合作提升到更高水平，中国成为孟加拉国选择的第一个战略伙伴。李克强总理对老挝进行正式访问，巩固了战略互信，深化了传统友谊。我们及时做缅甸新政府和各方工作，在缅甸政局发生剧烈变动情况下迅速实现中缅关系的平稳过渡。缅大选后新政府接待的第一个外长是中国外长，昂山素季就任国务资政后出访的第一个东盟以外国家是中国。斯里兰卡政局变化后，新政府认识到中国是斯里兰卡国家发展进步不可或缺的真诚伙伴，双方就加强互利合作达成更坚实共识，两国重要合作项目陆续排除障碍、重回正轨。

This year, we have enhanced exchanges and cooperation with some of our major neighbors. President Xi's successful visit to Cambodia has opened a new chapter in the history of friendship between China and Cambodia. Though small in size, Cambodia has defied power politics and pressure, upheld justice and stayed committed to friendship with China. We cherish and set great store by this valuable friendship. President Xi's visit to Phnom Penh has sent a clear message of China's full support for its old friend. It will have positive and far-reaching ramifications that go well beyond the bilateral scope. President Xi's visit to Bangladesh, the first by a Chinese head of state in 30 years, has taken the mutual trust and practical cooperation between China and Bangladesh to a higher level and made China the first strategic partner Bangladesh has chosen for itself. Premier Li Keqiang's official visit to Laos has consolidated the strategic trust and deepened the traditional friendship between China and Laos. Our proactive engagement with the new government and other parties in Myanmar has promptly ensured the stability of China-Myanmar relations amid drastic changes in Myanmar's political landscape. The first visiting foreign minister received by the new government in Naypyidaw is from China, and the first non-ASEAN country State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi visited is China. The new government in Sri Lanka has come to regard China as a sincere partner that is indispensable for its national development. The two sides have reached solid agreement on closer, mutually beneficial cooperation, thus removing obstacles one by one and bringing major cooperation projects back to the right track.