China, Philippines onward to ‘Golden Era’ of bilateral relations
CHINA and the Philippines have entered into a new era of bilateral cooperation toward lasting economic stability for the two countries and warm friendship among the Chinese and Filipino people.
Relationship between China and the Philippines has remarkably improved since President Rodrigo Duterte’s state visit to China in October 2016. Duterte met with Chinese President Xi Jinping for five times on bilateral and multilateral occasions, setting the course for a sound growth of China- Philippines relations.
Chinese State Council Premier Li Keqiang also came for an official visit to the Philippines in November 2017. He further boosted the strong momentum to promote good- neighborly friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the Philippines.
Revival of bilateral mechanisms
The two countries have been able to resume their bilateral consultations on foreign, consular, defense and security affairs. They have also set joint committees on economic and trade, and on agriculture and fisheries.
Moreover, the countries established two new mechanisms on maritime cooperation, namely the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on South China Sea issue and the Joint Coast Guard Committee, both contributing to common efforts to properly handle maritime issues and preserve peace and stability in the region.
Trade and investment
The countries’ warming bilateral relations have been translated into economic benefits for both sides. As a result, China has now become the largest trading partner, largest import market, and fourth largest export destination for the Philippines.
According to statistics, China’s bilateral trade volume hit $ 51.28 billion in 2017, with 8.5 percent year- on- year increase. Since October 2016, the Philippines’ fruits export to China registered a sharp increase of 50 percent. Philippine mango, pineapple, dragon fruit, and durian are among the most welcome commodities in the Chinese market.
Also, China’s foreign direct investment to the Philippines reached $ 54 million in 2017, with a rise of 55 percent on a yearly basis.
The two countries are expecting increased trade exchanges in the following years.
Infrastructure
China has committed to support President Duterte’s infrastructure development project dubbed “Build, Build Build,” to synergize with China’s Belt and Road initiative.
The Chinese grant is going to be used to finance two bridges over the Pasig River, that will break ground in mid- 2018.
China is also providing concessional loans to the Philippines’ three priority projects, namely the south line of the North- South Railway, new centennial water source Kaliwa dam and Chico River pump irrigation project.
Also on the drawing boards are feasibility studies for the construction of Davao City expressway, Panay- GuimarasNegros link bridge, and other second basket projects.
The country is also working on the possibility of setting up industrial parks in the Philippines.
Anti-narcotics cooperation
To show that it understands and
has provided grants to build two drug rehabilitation facilities in Mindanao. One was launched in January 2018, and another the following month, in February.
China has already provided the Philippines with two batches of equipment worth P436 million, among which was drug detecting and testing equipment.
Law enforcement agencies from China have joined hands with their Philippine counterpart, securing significant achievements in preventing drug trafficking.
The initiatives included more than 20 training programs for 200 personnel from Philippine
law enforcement agencies such as the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
Similar programs will be implemented
in the years to come.
Disaster assistance
China gave cash donations, along with hybrid rice seeds,
to farmers heavily affected by typhoons “Karen,” “Lawin” and “Urduja.” It also extended humanitarian aids to the Surigao earthquake rehabilitation.
The Chinese Embassy
donated P 10 0 million to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for its poverty relief and disaster response programs.
To support the Philippines’ anti- terrorism campaign in Marawi City in Lanao del Sur, China provided firearms and ammunition, relief for displaced residents, medical treatment for the wounded soldiers, and support to the fallen soldiers’ families.
China also delivered a batch of engineering equipment for reconstruction of damaged Marawi facilities and infrastructure with a total value of P150 million.
Since October 2016, China has provided more than P11 billion worth of grants and assistance to the Philippines.
The Philippines, meanwhile, through the more commonly known as PDP– Laban, the ruling political party in the Philippines helped the landslide victims in China’s Sichuan Province in June 2017.
The action once again affirmed the good relations and trust between the two countries.
People-to-people exchanges
The exchanges between China and the Philippines’ local governments have grown as 30 pairs of sister- cities or sisterprovinces have been established between the two countries.
In 2017, the number of Chinese tourists visiting the Philippines doubled, topping one mil-
of 2018, Chinese tourists arrivals in the Philippines reached 371,429, boosting the country’s
1.5 to 2 million Chinese tourist arrivals by the end of 2018.
China sees its potential of becoming the largest tourist source country to the Philippines in the years ahead. It has also observed thriving interaction as its exchanges and cooperation with the Philippines involve media agencies, think- tanks, universities, youth affairs, education, science and technology, culture and arts advances.
The two countries owe these developments to the vision and wisdom of their leaders, as well as the concerted efforts of their people.
Within two years, China and the Philippines have well strengthened their relationship by seizing various opportunities to become not only business or political partners but, more important, as friends striving to fulfil the common dream for peace and unity in our region, and the rest of the world.