President Duterte is counting on China not only to stay as a friend and partner in advancing peace and development, but also a defender of what is good and just for all.
The President heaped praises on China and recognized its immense power and responsibility during the virtual Communist Party of China (CPC) and World Political Parties summit Tuesday night, July 9. At the summit, Duterte, also chairman of the ruling PDP-Laban party, relayed his congratulations to CPC on its centennial founding anniversary.
"We count on China as a friend and partner for peace and development," Duterte said before the assembly attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping and other political leaders from various countries.
"We trust in the collective wisdom of the great Chinese nation — that China will use its newfound strength in defense of what is good and just for all humanity," he said.
With the people living in a global village, Duterte recognized that the people's destinies were linked with each other. "Peace and prosperity therefore must be shared and enjoyed by all," he added.
Duterte, who pursued closer ties with China at the start of his term despite a territorial dispute, also hailed the "extraordinary rise" of China to prosperity under the leadership of the CPC. China was able to lift over 800 million of its people out of poverty while driving global growth along the way, according to the President.
"Indeed, a 'sleeping dragon' no more. China has realized its dream of progress and prosperity for its people. With this came great power and equally immense responsibility. won’t be any turning back," he said.
He said China has risen and will play an important role in global affairs for decades to come, citing that the world faces challenges from the coronavirus pandemic, climate change to security concerns.
"While we see difficulties, we also glean many opportunities for greater cooperation and solidarity," he said.
The President also seized the chance to extend the country's gratitude to China for its assistance during the pandemic. China earlier donated a million doses of Sinovac vaccines that enabled the country to kick off its vaccination program.
"I thank the Chinese Government for its timely assistance that has helped the Philippines contain the COVID-19 pandemic and restart its economy," he said.
"We value the ties between PDP-Laban and the CPC that have grown significantly over the years," he added.
To further build mutual trust and confidence, Duterte proposed that constructive dialogue and peaceful engagement between the two nations must be sustained. He said this was important while the bilateral relations between the Philippines and China "expand and deepen."
"The ties between the Filipino and Chinese peoples are deep and enduring. They will remain so for as long as we continue to value win-win cooperation, amity and mutual respect," he said.
When he assumed power in 2016, Duterte pursued closer economic and security ties with China, insisting the country could not afford to go to war with the military giant over the dispute in the West Philippine Sea. The government instead opted to hold dialogue with China to manage the territorial conflict for the meantime.
Tension in the resource-rich South China Sea reignited following the controversial presence of Chinese ships in the disputed territory. Manila filed diplomatic protests and demanded China's pullout of its vessels from the local waters.
The President has drawn criticisms from some groups for his alleged weak stance in asserting the country's ownership of the territory. Duterte, however, made clear that although the Philippines considered China a good friend and appreciated its donation of coronavirus vaccines but he would not compromise the country’s claim in the West Philippine Sea.