PH eyes five deals with China
The Philippines may sign five potential agreements with China, including official development assistance (ODA), during President Duterte's visit to Beijing this week as both countries move to strengthen bilateral relations.
The two countries are currently finalizing the bilateral accords on areas such as education, drug rehabilitation, anti-corruption and ODA, according to Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Meynardo Montealegre.
The President is scheduled to attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing on April 25 to 27 upon the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The two leaders are also expected to hold talks on the sidelines of the summit. Forging closer economic and security relations with China will be high on the agenda when President Duterte holds the bilateral talks with President Xi.
“With President Xi Jinping, they are expected of course to chart the course of further development of bilateral relations in various areas like defense, security, economics, and development as well as regional and international issues of mutual importance,” Montealegre said during a Palace press briefing.
“As far as the South China Sea, the Spratly that you have
mentioned, the President has always been saying that we will stick to Philippine interest and positions but as I said I cannot preempt to what the specific discussion,” he added.
Apart from Xi, the President is expected to hold separate talks with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during his trip to Beijing.
“With Premier Li Keqiang, they are expected to discuss a more detailed cooperation in various areas including infrastructure, trade and investment, people-to-people relations as well as regional cooperation,” Montealegre said.
The President' meetings with the Chinese leaders will take place on the heels of the Philippine government's protest of the reported presence of more than 200 Chinese vessels near Pag-asa Island.
Other issues confronting the two nations are the alleged harassment of Filipino fishermen in Panatag Shoal as well as the poaching of giant clams by Chinese vessels in the area. The Palace earlier said the West Philippine Sea issue might be raised during the President's meeting with Xi.
The President recently asked China to lay off Pag-asa Island and meet the country “halfway” to settle the maritime row. Amid improving ties between the two nations, Duterte repeatedly said he prefers to hold dialogue over the use of force in resolving the territorial conflict with China.
Stick to negotiations
In a speech in Agusan del Norte Sunday evening, President Duterte reiterated that it would still be better to resolve the South China Sea issue through negotiating with China, instead of going to the disputed area to show force. (With a report from Argyll B. Geducos)