Locsin joins Chinese FM at opening of China's Consulate General in Davao
Published Oct 28, 2018 09:43 pm
By Roy Mabasa
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Sunday welcomed the opening of the Chinese Consulate General in Davao City, saying its inauguration highlights the growing cooperation between the Philippines and China.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi who arrived in Davao for a two-day visit, led the inauguration ceremony.
“Being the biggest Philippine city in terms of land area, and the third largest in terms of population, the inauguration of the Chinese Consulate General here in Davao is an auspicious sign of the city’s promise and the bright prospects for our engagement with China,” Locsin said in his remarks.
“May this be a continued testament to an immemorial friendship, to a robust and interconnected relationship, and to sustained interactions between the Philippines and China as we promote our common goals to the mutual benefit of both our great nations,” he added.
Locsin also underscored what he called the “positive turnaround and vigorous momentum” in Philippines-China ties.
“The Philippines has always been a friend of China,” Locsin said as he recalled how he broke through the Western news embargo on China in 1967 to see for himself and tell the world of the progress that China had made.
“We have since enhanced our dialogue and consensus on many levels,” he said. “Our practical cooperation in many areas is reaping an early harvest of tangible benefits.”
Meanwhile, Locsin vowed to pursue an independent foreign policy by strengthening Manila’s relationship with its traditional allies and reaching out to new partners in the international community.
“My idea of an independent foreign policy is not to switch masters before whom we kneel but to get off our knees and stand on our feet and stand up for our country. That’s it,” Locsin told senior officials of the DFA in a meeting he called on Saturday, hours after arriving from New York.
Locsin served as Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York until his appointment as Manila’s top diplomat was announced by President Duterte two weeks ago.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi who arrived in Davao for a two-day visit, led the inauguration ceremony.
“Being the biggest Philippine city in terms of land area, and the third largest in terms of population, the inauguration of the Chinese Consulate General here in Davao is an auspicious sign of the city’s promise and the bright prospects for our engagement with China,” Locsin said in his remarks.
“May this be a continued testament to an immemorial friendship, to a robust and interconnected relationship, and to sustained interactions between the Philippines and China as we promote our common goals to the mutual benefit of both our great nations,” he added.
Locsin also underscored what he called the “positive turnaround and vigorous momentum” in Philippines-China ties.
“The Philippines has always been a friend of China,” Locsin said as he recalled how he broke through the Western news embargo on China in 1967 to see for himself and tell the world of the progress that China had made.
“We have since enhanced our dialogue and consensus on many levels,” he said. “Our practical cooperation in many areas is reaping an early harvest of tangible benefits.”
Meanwhile, Locsin vowed to pursue an independent foreign policy by strengthening Manila’s relationship with its traditional allies and reaching out to new partners in the international community.
“My idea of an independent foreign policy is not to switch masters before whom we kneel but to get off our knees and stand on our feet and stand up for our country. That’s it,” Locsin told senior officials of the DFA in a meeting he called on Saturday, hours after arriving from New York.
Locsin served as Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York until his appointment as Manila’s top diplomat was announced by President Duterte two weeks ago.