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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH, China agree on deployment of Chinese workers for Beijing-funded infrastructure projects

PH, China agree on deployment of Chinese workers for Beijing-funded infrastructure projects

Published Oct 12, 2020 07:31 am

The Philippines and China have reached an agreement that would allow the entry of Chinese nationals as “essential personnel” to work in various Beijing-funded infrastructure projects in the country.

(DFA / MANILA BULLETIN)

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said this agreement was reached during the meeting between Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and Chinese State Counselor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Yunnan, China on Saturday.   

“At the meeting’s close, Secretary Locsin and Foreign Minister Wang confirmed the prospective establishment of a Fast Lane for Urgently Needed Personnel Exchanges between the Philippines and China to facilitate, with due safeguards, the movement of essential official exchanges and travel by personnel in crucial industries such as business and trade, infrastructure, logistics, production, and technical services,” the DFA said. 

Locsin flew to China on Friday for a two-day official visit upon the invitation of Minister Wang.

On Saturday, the two top diplomats held a bilateral meeting to take stock of priority political and economic bilateral cooperation initiatives as they reaffirmed the continuing vitality of relations despite the constraints imposed by COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019).

Both Locsin and Wang pledged to forge ahead with sustained policy dialogues, as well as economic and infrastructure cooperation projects. 

Wang was earlier quoted as saying in a report that the two sides should advance personnel exchanges “on the premise of epidemic prevention and control, and promote the resumption of work and production, as well as cooperation on major bilateral projects.” 

Furthermore, the Chinese official affirmed his government’s commitment to supporting President Duterte’s infrastructure drive under the “Build Build Build” program.

Wang received Locsin and his entourage in Tengchong City, in the southern province of Yunnan.#

PH, China agree on deployment of Chinese workers for Beijing-funded infrastructure projects



By ROY C. MABASA

The Philippines and China have reached an agreement that would allow the entry of Chinese nationals as “essential personnel” to work in various Beijing-funded infrastructure projects in the country.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said this agreement was reached during the meeting between Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and Chinese State Counselor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Yunnan, China on Saturday.

“At the meeting’s close, Secretary Locsin and Foreign Minister Wang confirmed the prospective establishment of a Fast Lane for Urgently Needed Personnel Exchanges between the Philippines and China to facilitate, with due safeguards, the movement of essential official exchanges and travel by personnel in crucial industries such as business and trade, infrastructure, logistics, production, and technical services,” the DFA said.

Locsin flew to China on Friday for a two-day official visit upon the invitation of Minister Wang.

On Saturday, the two top diplomats held a bilateral meeting to take stock of priority political and economic bilateral cooperation initiatives as they reaffirmed the continuing vitality of relations despite the constraints imposed by COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019).

Both Locsin and Wang pledged to forge ahead with sustained policy dialogues, as well as economic and infrastructure cooperation projects.

Wang was earlier quoted as saying in a report that the two sides should advance personnel exchanges “on the premise of epidemic prevention and control, and promote the resumption of work and production, as well as cooperation on major bilateral projects.”

Furthermore, the Chinese official affirmed his government’s commitment to supporting President Duterte’s infrastructure drive under the “Build Build Build” program.

Wang received Locsin and his entourage in Tengchong City, in the southern province of Yunnan.

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