Ambassador heralds new chapter in PHL-China relations
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From January to October 2019, fresh investments from China tallied $33.4 million, representing an annual growth of 45.7 percent.
He said that as of October 2019, more than 1.5 million Chinese tourists visited the Philippines—a 41-percent rise in numbers, and a close second to the statistics of South Korean visitors.
Among more than a dozen flagship infrastructure projects in the pipeline to be completed in the next few years are the Chico River Irrigation Pump, New Centennial Water Source (Kaliwa Dam) and the Philippine National Railways South Long Haul. These are being pushed forward at a steady pace, according to Huang, “and will contribute to the development of agriculture and transportation in the Philippines.”
China had also provided RMB2.75 billion, or around $398 million worth of grants, and close to $500 million of soft loans to the Philippines to support “Build, Build, Build.” Another RMB3 billion, or some $421 million of grants, had already been allocated between 2019 and 2022.
“A ltogether, 10 projects have been completed, [which have brought] tangible benefits to local people,” Huang disclosed.
With these immense achievements made possible by the two nations, “the aforementioned figures are just a very small fraction of the whole picture,” the new Chinese ambassador emphasized.
‘Comprehensive strategic cooperation’
HUANG segued into the third aspect, founded upon a couple of factors:
“Increasing volume of trade and mutual visits demonstrate our interwoven development interests, characterized with peace and amity .... Both countries have achieved the progress of cooperation, while they address differences in a constructive manner, in pursuit of the true spirit of seeking a common ground while reserving differences.”
These elements characterize what he considers as aspiration, ushering the Golden Age of Philippine-Chinese comprehensive strategic cooperation thriving “under the strategic guidance of President Xi and President Duterte.”
During next year’s 45th celebration of the establishment of China-Philippines diplomatic ties, the envoy revealed there would be celebratory activities being arranged. They cover political visits, economic cooperation, cultural events and think tank exchanges that are already on schedule.
The ambassador vowed to maximize this great opportunity, “as we expect to work closely with our Filipino friends, expand our peopleto-people exchanges, and enhance the mutual trust between our two countries.”