Arroyo cites importance of deepening PH-China ties

Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo pays a courtesy call on Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Shangri-La at the Fort, Manila in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. (Photo courtesy of the Speaker’s office/PNA)

MANILA – House of Representatives Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Wednesday cited the importance of further deepening ties between the Philippines and China, now that the “all-around cooperation” of the two countries is “as good as it has ever been.”

Arroyo made the remark during a bilateral meeting of congressional leaders with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Shangri-La at the Fort, Manila in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.

She cited geography, China’s dynamic economy and foreign relations, the vibrant Filipino-Chinese community, and infrastructure as factors to improve the country’s relations with the Asian economic giant.

“The relationship between China and the Philippines is very important for our countries. One reason is geography. Good relations between neighbors is always priority.

A second reason is that, China is increasingly involved, not only in bilateral dealings, but collectively, such as through ASEAN. Third reason is that China’s economy is the most dynamic among the neighboring nations,” Arroyo said.

“A fourth factor is that domestically, the Philippines has a vibrant Filipino-Chinese community for whom increased business dealings with China is very natural. And fifth, infrastructure will be very important for the Philippines in the coming years. And there is no country in the world that matches China’s recent track record and capability in this area,” she added.

She said the House would help maximize the benefits of the Philippines’ increased joint activity with China by focusing the legislative agenda on areas essential to economic activity, as well as ensuring its effective implementation.

“Going forward, implementation will now be the key to maximizing the benefits of growing economic trade and investment relations between our two countries. In this area, the traditional oversight function of the legislative will be useful in encouraging our implementers from the Executive Branch so that they can maintain focus and strive for maximum results in the shortest possible time,” she added.

She expressed support for the efforts of President Rodrigo Duterte and Xi in promoting a “strategic and comprehensive” relationship.

“In conclusion, Your Excellency, given President Duterte’s positive attitude towards China and Your Excellency’s attitude towards a shared future for mankind, your visit to the Philippines can represent a new era of closer friendship between our two countries,” she said.

A total of 29 agreements signed between the Philippines and China highlighted the first state visit of President Xi to Manila.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation on oil and gas development in the West Philippine Sea topped the list of signed bilateral documents in the fields of trade and investment, banking and finance, infrastructure, agriculture, education, culture and people-to-people exchanges.

Other signed deals include cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative; executive program of cultural agreement for 2019-2023; basic education cooperation; information and communications technology; strengthening the building of agricultural cooperatives; infrastructure cooperation program; industrial parks development; certificate of emergency humanitarian cash assistance; promoting cooperation in key infrastructure projects in the Davao region; and certificate of humanitarian cash assistance.