APD | Economic benefits from closer Philippines-China relations seen

By APD writer Melo M. Acuña

MANILA, Dec. 17 (APD) – Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian said the Philippines stands to benefit economically from closer relations between the two countries.

In his remarks during Chinese Embassy’s Christmas Party for newsmen last night at the Grand Hyatt Manila Hotel at the upscale Bonifacio Global City, the 52-year old diplomat said for the past three years, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte met eight times and reached a lot of consensuses and pragmatic cooperation.

The event coincided with the 20th Anniversary of Transfer of Sovereignty from Portugal to the People’s Republic of China.

“What we need to do now is implement all the consensus on pragmatic cooperation to make sure that all the projects agreed upon by the two leaders will be completed so it can bring tangible benefits to our two peoples,” he said in his first public appearance after meeting several top government officials upon his arrival last week.

He added his priority includes to see the implementation of projects agreed upon by both governments, involving the Chico River Pump Project, New Centennial Water Source - Kaliwa Dam and several others.

He underscored the need to synergize the Belt and Road Initiative and the “Build, Build, Build” program of President Duterte.

The latest Chinese diplomat assigned to Manila said in a few months, the Philippines and China will celebrate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations where activities would focus on economic and cultural programs.

He admitted while he is in the learning process, he remains confident that all efforts will bring about tangible results in the near future.

Ambassador Xilian has a Bachelor of Arts from the Beijing Foreign Studies University and an MA with distinction from the University of Manchester in England. He rose from the ranks and has been assigned to Brunei Darussalam, India, the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. His latest posting prior to his assignment to Manila was at the ASEAN in Jakarta, where he held the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary last year.

(Cover: Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian speaking before members of the media late Monday night said economic benefits from closer Philippines-China relations would be realized in the near future. /Melo M. Acuña)

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)