“THE Philippines’s historic moves to rejoin hands with China will make the Golden Age of [our] relations fresher, brighter and richer than ever before…”
Such was the pronouncement of Ambassador Zhao Jianhua during the recent celebrations of the founding anniversary of the People’s Republic of China (PROC).
“We should remember 2018 as a year [that witnessed] a sustained improvement and growth of Philippines-China relations, which are gearing up for faster and stronger developments,” Zhao added in his glowing assessment, noting that the country is now “reaping the rich fruits of cooperation.”
Last year the ambassador said the value of their two-way trade topped $50 million, “which made China the Philippines’s top trading partner and source of imports, and [the former’s] fourth-largest export market.” In 2017 new investments from PROC reached $53.84 million.
The envoy noted that the current year is considered a significant milestone for China, as it marks the 40th anniversary of their adoption of reform and opening up policy.
In the past four decades he said China achieved a significant growth of its gross domestic product: from 364.5 billion RMB to 82.7 trillion RMB, while its GDP per capita rocketed to nearly 60,000 RMB, from only 385 RMB prior.
“China now contributes more than 30 percent of the annual global economic growth and plays a crucial role in ensuring economic stability and recovery in the world,” he boasted.
One of China’s recent epoch-defining successes is its claim as “home to the largest network of expressways, high-speed rails and mobile-broadband services.” The “Middle Kingdom” now has a total of 25,000 miles of railroad networks—the largest in the world.
Speaking of infrastructure, 2018 also marks the fifth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a brainchild of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
According to their Foreign Service Institute, Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin affirmed and welcomed the Philippines’s participation in the BRI. In return, the Philippines took action and became a full member of the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, a move indicative of the government’s interest in the massive infrastructure project.
Reliable, efficient and trustworthy
REGARDING China’s role on “Build, Build, Build,” the diplomat’s usually unflappable mien turned serious: “China has made it very clear: It wants to have a reliable, efficient and trustworthy partnership in the program.”
As a seeming way to reciprocate the gesture, Zhao encouraged the Philippines to participate in BRI—a revival of the ancient Silk Road that wound across half of the globe. It created a link between the Orient and the Roman Empire.
So far China has already signed agreements on BRI cooperation with more than 130 countries and international organizations. Under its framework, 82 economic-cooperation zones with a total investment of $28.9 billion have been set up in the countries concerned and will create a total of 244,000 jobs for their locals.
(Despite this, China is being challenged for its BRI scheme. Pro-Western writers have warned that if Washington and its liberal partners do not soon mount a credible alternative to the Chinese infrastructure spending, “Belt and Road-fueled illiberalism will spread across the globe unchecked.”
The logic of those who scoff at the BRI usually revolves around four reasons: [1] Many pledges do not always materialize as projects; [2] BRI is a “debt trap” to poor countries and, therefore, ultimately unsustainable; [3] Japan remains as the dominant player in infrastructure investment; and [4] private-sector investments from American companies still outweigh those of Chinese investors.)
These criticisms are not lost on the envoy from Beijing, who exhorted: “The world is undergoing unprecedented major changes. We are living with various intertwined trends of global multipolarity, economic globalization, information technology applications and cultural diversity, while people around the world are increasingly [becoming] interconnected and interdependent.”
Zhao, who has a masters degree in world economy as well as international policy and practice, volunteered China has provided a total of 1.284 billion RMB (about P10 billion) worth of grants to the Philippines since President Duterte took office.
“[In] the first five months in 2018 China has made another investment of $165 million [about P8.9 billion] in the Philippines, projecting a record-high growth rate.”
Increasing interactions, exchanges
OVER the past two years the Chinese diplomat said, “A series of dialogues and consultation mechanisms have been revived in areas, such as foreign affairs, defense, energy, economy and trade, agriculture, fisheries, [as well as] science and technology. There have been also increasing interactions and exchanges between local governments, media agencies, universities, ‘think tanks’ and cultural institutions.”
The man from Beijing, who used to be vice mayor of Hefei City in Anhui province, then touched on tourism. He revealed that in the first seven months of 2018, the Philippines has received more than 760,000 Chinese tourists—a 40-percent year-on-year increase.
“We have every reason to expect more than 1.5 million Chinese tourists to visit the Philippines this year and generate a revenue of more than P32 billion.”
Zhao has promised Duterte a total of 2 million Chinese who will visit the country, but admitted the lack of local infrastructure is a deterrent. He said some 130 million of his countrymen go out of their homeland yearly to enjoy world-renowned spots and frolic in the sands of exotic places.
The ambassador insisted China attaches great importance to synergizing the BRI, the “AmBisyon Natin 2040,” as well as Build, Build, Build. He said considerable progress has been made in this regard because of China’s funding of grants or soft loans.
On the subject of exploring the resources in the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea (WPS/SCS), the diplomat said, “[That] is something under discussion.”
“I think you have [an ongoing] domestic debate; we also have domestic discussions,” he proceeded, then replied: “I can’t tell you more before we [have] reached anything conclusive.”
Despite this, Beijing’s top man in Manila said that both sides have realized that “first and foremost is the stability in the WPS/SCS.”
“In the meantime, it is in our common interests to explore the possibility of joint exploration which will be mutually acceptable.”
According to Zhao, who before coming to the Philippines had been China’s representative to Lebanon, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland and Liberia, “We have shown that our two countries have the sincerity, wisdom and capability to properly manage the differences and focus on cooperation, in the purpose of turning WPS/SCS into a sea of peace, friendship and prosperity.”
Although the issue remains unsettled, nevertheless, when the Philippines assumed the role of China-Asean country coordinator in August, Zhao said Beijing “firmly counts on the Philippines to bring [cooperation between China and the Asean, as well as that of the East Asia region,] to a new high.”
Aid in infra, disasters
AMONG other forms of aid, China has also helped erect drug-rehabilitation centers, while plans are under way for the construction of two bridges over the Pasig River. Meanwhile, the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project has already broken ground.
Zhao also claimed the two sides are pushing for more major infrastructure projects, such as the New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam in Tanay, Rizal; the Subic-Clark Railway in Central Luzon; the Philippine National Railways South Long Haul, and the Safe Philippines-Phase 1. All these have a total value surpassing $7 billion.
“Whenever the Philippines encounters disasters, China has always been among the first to extend a helping hand,” the good ambassador said of China’s assistance in the ruined city of Marawi.
“We are also helping set up water-pumping stations in rural areas,” as assurance of China’s commitment to help improve livelihood, reduce poverty, assist the needy and realize sustainable development in the Philippines.”
And, despite the seeming conflict in the waters between them, the envoy said China and the Philippines contribute to regional stability. “When the counterterrorism campaign started in Marawi, China lost no time in delivering a batch of military assistance to the Philippines. Our two countries have been working closely to combat illicit drugs, terrorism and cybercrimes.”
During his short conversation with Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana at the reception, the diplomat also lauded the collaboration between the militaries of China and the Philippines, which has already “turned into a new phase.”
“We have resumed our mutual trust and confidence. I hope with the efforts [from] both sides, [we] will further strengthen our mutual confidence and military-to-military cooperation,” he added.
In closing, Zhao reminded: “China will always stay open and work with all countries, including the Philippines, to create opportunities, advance cooperation and share the dividends of development. We will continue to be the Philippines’s good neighbor [and] sincere friend.” With a report from PNA
Image credits: Jimbo Albano