President brings home 14-B grant, $9-B investment pledges from China

President Duterte is back in the country with a 14-billion grant from the government of China and around $9 billion worth of investment pledges from private Chinese businessmen.

He had earlier said he prefers to “talk about business” with China rather than “pick a quarrel” over

the disputed territories in the South China Sea for the meantime.

The President arrived in Davao City early Friday morning from his four-day journey to China and Hong Kong, citing the renewed commitment to boost economic and defense cooperation between the two nations.

“I am glad to be back from my official visit to China for the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference,” Duterte said in his arrival speech at the Davao International Airport.

“We have secured so many billions and that 500 Renminbi, gratis ‘yan ha [that’s gratis]. There’s no contract about building a railroad. It’s P4 billion straight,” he said.

Duterte said he would ask Congress to use the funds to upgrade some public hospitals in Mindanao.

“The first one is, I will repair and equip the hospitals in the south, particularly in Jolo and Basilan. Walasilang CT scan, walasilang MRI [they don’t have CT scan, MRI] and competent doctors,” he said.

“And maybe sa medicines for... Gusto ko ibigay muna ito sa [I want to give this to] those that really, really, urgently immediate ang needs,” he added.

Duterte said nine business agreements signed during his visit to China are projected to generate more than 10,000 jobs for Filipinos. The investment proposals covered real estate, energy, tourism, agriculture, among others.

On the sidelines of the BFA conference, Duterte held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on various areas of cooperation.

“In my meeting with President Xi Jinping, we reaffirmed our commitment to sustain the vigor of Philippines-China relations,” he said.

“We both underscored the need for further intensified cooperation, trade and investments, tourism, agriculture, defense, science and technology and energy, among other things,” he added.

During the bilateral meeting, Duterte admitted not raising the West Philippine Sea ownership with Xi and instead expressed interest in the proposed joint sea exploration and other areas of cooperation with China.

“No, it is not the appropriate time to do it,” Duterte said in a press conference upon arrival in Davao City from his visit to China, when asked if he discussed the West Philippine Sea dispute with Xi.

“I’d rather talk about business. Let it float there, hindi naman manakaw ‘yan eh pero ang [It will not be stolen anyway but] China is coming in, offering something,” he added.

Six bilateral agreements on labor, infrastructure and agriculture cooperation were also forged after the President’s meeting with Xi at the Boao State Guesthouse.

“Among these is the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the employment of Filipino teachers of English language in China,” Duterte said.

“This allows for the employment of 2,000 Filipino English language teachers starting this year and will be valid for two years, subject to renewal,” he added.

Duterte said the Philippines would continue to seek the expansion of areas for mutually beneficial collaboration, consistent with the country’s laws.

In his debut appearance at the Boao forum, the President said he and other leaders tackled the importance of an open and innovative Asia for greater global prosperity.

“We recognized that Asia is a key global growth engine. And we strongly emphasized the need for economic cooperation, coordination and collaboration to achieve the development of our peoples, what they deserve,” he said.

He also reaffirmed his commitment to pour more investments on the country’s infrastructure, innovation and interconnectivity to drive domestic growth.

“Most importantly, we received support for the Philippines’ plans for inclusive growth and sustainable development,” he said.

From Hainan, China, the President traveled to Hong Kong to meet with the Filipino community.

Duterte said he reported to the overseas Filipino workers the country’s developments and reaffirmed his vow “to do everything to help improve the situation at home.”

Duterte recognized that his latest foreign visit highlighted the need for the Philippines to seek its destiny in Asia, and vowed to continue to harness diplomatic to advance the nation’s economic and security interests.

“We recognize that our neighbors in the region are our partners and friends with whom we can work with to achieve shared prosperity,” he said.

“I will uphold my solemn oath to do my utmost to provide a comfortable life for all during my watch as President,” he added.