MANILA - Former Philippine president Joseph Estrada on Thursday said the Philippines needs China's help to modernize the country, and expressed his hope that Sino-Philippines relations will improve in the near future.

"The Philippines needs China more than China needs the Philippines," said Estrada during an exclusive interview with Chinese media.

He said the Philippines' infrastructure construction lagged behind for so much compared with other Asian countries, especially in the transportation sector as the country's airport was once rated the worst in Asia and its citizens suffer a lot from inconvenience caused by traffic jams.

"It is necessary for the Philippines to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. I hope China will help us," he said.

Estrada, who paid a state visit to China 15 years ago as the president of the Philippines, will attend China's V-Day celebrations on Sept 3 in Beijing.

He is confident about the future Sino-Philippines relations.

"Our relations will improve," said Estrada, who stressed it is always beneficial to maintain the two countries' long-time friendship.

"I'm going to renew the sister city relationship with Beijing," said Estrada, who is also the current mayor of the city of Manila.