China wants more investment, tourists in Phl

President Benigno S. Aquino III received the credentials of Zhao Jianhua, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Philippines. (Photo: www.gov.ph)

MANILA – Despite the controversial rift between China and the Philippines, a Chinese Ambassador said, China still wants more investments and tourists in the Philippines.

“I should point out that China’s investments to the Philippines have not been satisfactory so we hope that we can invest more,” Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua said at a welcome dinner hosted by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) on Tuesday.

Zhao mentioned China’s intentions of encouraging more investments in the energy projects to halp the Philippines cut its power costs.

The Philippines has the highest power cost in the Southeast Asian region.

The Ambassador also reiterated China’s interest in engaging in the country’s manufacturing industry which is among the country’s list of top potential areas for global investments.

“There is good opportunity for Philippine side to receive some of good quality manufacturing investments, say food processing, manufacturing of minerals. These are the things we can do in the near future,” Zhao said.

Zhao also said he is looking forward to investing more in the country as the Philippines also has shown significant interest in investing in China.

“You’ll be surprised that the Philippines is investing more in China than what China is investing in the Philippines,” he said.

Despite the territorial disputes where both the countries are involved, Zhao said it is about time that both the countries should focus on something that will bring unity and cooperation.

“I think it is imperative and essential that the two countries focus on things that can unite us, focus on things that can promote common prosperity for both countries and can contribute to improvement of the livelihood of our people,” he said.