PRESIDENT-ELECT Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. said on Friday he recognizes China as the Philippines' 'strongest partner' at a time when the world slowly moves beyond the economic crisis brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.

'As we try to make our way in the post-pandemic world, each country will not be able to thrive, to survive and to thrive by itself,' Marcos said during the Award for Promoting Philippines-China Understanding (Appcu) event held at the Dusit Thani Manila Hotel in Makati City, where he was the guest of honor.