PH-China ties complicated, but future is bright, claims Chinese economic expert

BEIJING, China — PhilippinesChina relations are “complicated,” but even complicated relationships can blossom.

Yuan Youwei, deputy director of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE) here gave this point of view ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the Philippines next month.

“The countries’ relationship is very complicated and very complex. We need to look at the future, you know? What is the most important [for] the two countries [is] the goal we are thinking,” Yuan told visiting journalists from Manila.

Yuan called Xi’s upcoming visit to the Philippines as a “very important and positive sign” for both countries.

“The high level of exchanges between our two countries… will be [beneficial] despite what happened in the past,” she said, alluding to territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea (WPS or South China Sea) which just five years ago was a source of great tension in that vital part of the world.

But thanks mainly to President Duterte’s efforts, Manila-Beijing ties have smoothened a great deal, resulting to billions of dollars worth of investments and aid from the Chinese side, not to mention a spike in tourists.

“We have a very strong bind in history. Why don’t we hold hands and go together toward the future?” Yuan said.

Incidentally, one of the agreements rumored to be signed during Xi’s Philippine sojourn is the joint exploration of the WPS between the two countries. The WPS has long been thought to be rich in natural resources, most notably petroleum.

A partnership with China – provided that it gets past all legal and Constitutional hurdles – would provide the Philippines with the necessary technological muscle to launch a search effort of such scale.

“We can accommodate both sides on their needs and demands,” the think tank official said of the rumored joint exploration agreement.

“So if it can be signed, it means that both sides have brought something common or acceptable for both sides,” underscored Yuan.