Strong manifold and ties bind PH-China relations
MANILA – Foreign Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. warmly welcomed Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Manila during the latter’s third visit under the Duterte Administration “despite the challenges of the pandemic.”
Secretary Locsin recalled their most recent meeting in Yunnan Province last October.
“Certainly, on the Philippines’ part, our ties with China stands among our most important bilateral relationships. China’s strong position as the Philippines’ top trading partner for four years now, and as a leading investment, ODA (Overseas Development Assistance) and tourism source, highlight China’s significance to our country,” he said. He said both countries celebrated 45 years of diplomatic relations last year.
Secretary Locsin said China’s powerful economy and the biggest consumer middle class with 800 million, would be important to the Philippines and the rest of the world in the post pandemic recovery.
“Even in the resurgence of the pandemic worldwide and even in China, China has already recovered the gain she lost. COVID-19 has posed the most trying of challenges, it is not quite a world war by any means, but the scale and breadth of the havoc this invisible enemy has reek across the globe is not unlikened,” he further said.
He referred to the robust and responsive “Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation” has adapted and risen to the occasion guided by Presidents Rodrigo Duterte and Xi Jinping “whose personal friendship reflects our close national bonds, our engagements in all levels have resumed.
Secretary Locsin said the Philippines rose in China’s defense “and brought along the rest of the region in the action, most notably in Laos.”
Referring to the close cooperation in joint efforts to beat COVID-19 he said “only further enhanced our overall ties and deepened our friendship.”
Secretary Locsin said the Philippines and the Duterte Administration share a common resolve “to deliver on imperative, uncompromising commitments to our people.”
“With our two nations’ abiding interest in regional stability and the security of our maritime commons, it behooves upon us to show our ability to rise to the challenge of managing differences peacefully and in accordance with law, while making headway towards trust-building and practical concrete mutually beneficial cooperation,” Mr. Locsin concluded. (Melo M. Acuña)
Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. (left) and Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi before they delivered their opening statements prior to their high-level bilateral meeting at The Shangri-La at The Fort. (FOCAP Pool Photo)
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