Duterte's China policy reaping economic benefits for PH – solon
Published Apr 4, 2018 12:05 am
By Ben Rosario
A senior opposition congressman is confident that the best is yet to come in the country’s continued economic progress as a result of President Duterte’s bid for closer ties with China.
Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Buhay Party-list Rep. Lito Atienza lauded Duterte for his “position of actively promoting closer ties between Philippines and the People’s Republic of China.”
Duterte’s “sheer political will and foresight” gave the country economic benefits from China, Atienza said.
“Judging from the optimism and interest of Chinese businessmen to invest anew in the Philippines, we can be sure that the best is yet to come” said Atienza.
The former Manila mayor’s praise for Duterte contradicted the position aired by some opposition leaders who warned that the Chief Executive’s pro-China stance could weaken the country’s claim to contested areas in the West Philippine Sea
“We are elated that President Duterte has been actively strengthening the relationship between Manila and Beijing through his administration’s policies on business, trade and even the opening of job opportunities in China for thousands of Filipino workers,” said Atienza.
“We commend the President for his political will, sharp economic sense and wisdom which has brought the Philippines closer to China, an economic superpower,” he pointed out.
According to opposition solon, Duterte’s efforts have started to “bear fruit for Filipinos everywhere.”
“We have just met with Chinese businessmen who have expressed their renewed confidence in investing in the Philippines now due to the closer relations between our two countries,” Atienza said.
It was during Atienza’s third term as mayor that Manila and Beijing initiated the fostering of warmer relations and closer economic and cultural ties through the signing of a Sister-City Agreement in 2005 with then-Mayor Wang Qishan, who has just been elected as Vice President of the People’s Republic of China.
“Relations between the Philippines and China had gone cold during the previous administration. It took someone like President Duterte to revive Manila’s close relations with our superpower neighbor,” Atienza noted.
Atienza added: “Not only has China been providing military assistance to the Philippines, but it has now opened some 300,000 jobs for teachers, musicians, nurses, cooks, household service workers, and caregivers.”
Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Buhay Party-list Rep. Lito Atienza lauded Duterte for his “position of actively promoting closer ties between Philippines and the People’s Republic of China.”
Duterte’s “sheer political will and foresight” gave the country economic benefits from China, Atienza said.
“Judging from the optimism and interest of Chinese businessmen to invest anew in the Philippines, we can be sure that the best is yet to come” said Atienza.
The former Manila mayor’s praise for Duterte contradicted the position aired by some opposition leaders who warned that the Chief Executive’s pro-China stance could weaken the country’s claim to contested areas in the West Philippine Sea
“We are elated that President Duterte has been actively strengthening the relationship between Manila and Beijing through his administration’s policies on business, trade and even the opening of job opportunities in China for thousands of Filipino workers,” said Atienza.
“We commend the President for his political will, sharp economic sense and wisdom which has brought the Philippines closer to China, an economic superpower,” he pointed out.
According to opposition solon, Duterte’s efforts have started to “bear fruit for Filipinos everywhere.”
“We have just met with Chinese businessmen who have expressed their renewed confidence in investing in the Philippines now due to the closer relations between our two countries,” Atienza said.
It was during Atienza’s third term as mayor that Manila and Beijing initiated the fostering of warmer relations and closer economic and cultural ties through the signing of a Sister-City Agreement in 2005 with then-Mayor Wang Qishan, who has just been elected as Vice President of the People’s Republic of China.
“Relations between the Philippines and China had gone cold during the previous administration. It took someone like President Duterte to revive Manila’s close relations with our superpower neighbor,” Atienza noted.
Atienza added: “Not only has China been providing military assistance to the Philippines, but it has now opened some 300,000 jobs for teachers, musicians, nurses, cooks, household service workers, and caregivers.”