PH, China ink deals during Chinese premier’s official visit

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang witnessed the signing of agreements during a ceremony held at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace. (Shutterstock)

MANILA— The Philippines and China signed 14 agreements on Wednesday, November 15, following the expanded bilateral meeting between the two countries.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang witnessed the signing of agreements during a ceremony held at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace.

Among the agreements signed were:

• Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China
• Memorandum of Understanding on Jointly Promoting on Second Basket of Key Infrastructure Projects Cooperation between the Department of Finance of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Commerce of the Government of the People’s Republic of China
• Exchange of Letters on Project of Dangerous Drugs Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers
• Exchange of Letters on Project of Two Bridges Across Pasig River
• Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation on Industrial Parks Development between the Department of Trade and Industry of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China
• Memorandum of Understanding on Jointly Promoting the Philippine National Railways South Long Hall Project Cooperation between the Department of Transportation of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China
• Implementation Framework for the Memorandum of Understanding and Development of Project List for Cooperation in Production Capacity and Investment between the National Economic and Development Authority of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Development and Reform Commission of the People’s Republic of China
• Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Development and Reform Commission of the People’s Republic of China Concerning the Provision of Goods for Addressing Climate Change
• Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Industry Cooperation between the Department of National Defense of the Republic of the Philippines and the State Administration of Science Technology Industry of the National Defense of the People’s Republic of China
• Memorandum of Understanding between the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines and the State Intellectual Property of the People’s Republic of China on Cooperation in the Field of Intellectual Property
• Memorandum of Understanding between the National Youth Commission and the All-China Youth Federation on Strengthening Youth Cooperation
• The Financing Cooperation Agreement on Chico River Pump Irrigation Project and New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam Project between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines represented by the Department of Finance and the Export-Import Bank of China
• The Republic of the Philippines 2017 Renminbi Bond Issuance Underwriting Agreement; and
• Memorandum of Understanding between the Bases Conversion and Development Authority and China Development Bank

Following the signing ceremony, President Duterte and Premier Li led the ceremonial launching in Malacañan of the Binondo-Intramuros and Estrella-Pantaleon Bridges project and the Dangerous Drugs Abuse Treatment Rehabilitation Center Project (DDATRC).

The Binondo-Intramuros Bridge has a length of 734 meters and a width of 21.65 meters.It will have two lanes in both directions.

The Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge, on the other hand, has a total length of about 560 meters and a width of 21.65 meters. It will also have two lanes in both directions.

The Manila bridges project will improve local urban road network, alleviate traffic jams, facilitate connectivity along the Pasig River, and boost the broader development of Manila.

The Drug Rehabilitation Centers Project meanwhile includes one in Sarangani Province and one in Agusan del Sur Province.

It will have 150 beds each with adequate facilities with main functions such as treatment, training, sports and office. The two modern drug rehabilitation centers will be dedicated to provide care to those in need.