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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Fresh from US-hosted democracy summit, Duterte insists PH, China remain 'good friends'

Fresh from US-hosted democracy summit, Duterte insists PH, China remain 'good friends'

Published Dec 13, 2021 11:29 pm

President Duterte stressed on Monday, Dec. 13 that the Philippines and China remain "good friends", even recalling the debt of gratitude that the former has toward the latter amid the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

(Photos from Malacañang/ Unsplash)

"I'd like to remind everybody that when everything was down for us, it was China, for whatever really is the--masabi nila (whatever they may say) about relations of Philippines and China--I would maintain we are good friends," Duterte said on Monday night, Dec. 13, during his pre-taped "Talk to the People" public briefing.

The Filipino leader came up with the statement a few days after attending the Summit for Democracy, a virtual pro-democracy event convened by United States (US) President Joe Biden.

Not all countries were invited by Washington to attend the two-day event. America's fellow power and economic rival, China, was a noteworthy exclusion.

"They were the first one to give us the vaccines," Duterte said of China in his briefing. It's widely known that Manila and Beijing’s relationship--strained for decades due to territorial disputes at-sea--was mended a great deal during the Duterte administration.

'Yung issues dyan sa West Philippine Sea, ibang isyu yan. At ibang isyu naman itong pagkakaibigan natin sa kanila (The issues in the West Philippine Sea are a different set of issues. Our friendship with them is a different issue)," the Chief Executive said.

The Philippines began its mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19 on March 1, 2021. At that time, the country only had China-made Sinovac jabs.

Malacañang had earlier said that the Philippines' invitation to the Summit for Democracy--and subsequent participation--only showed that the country was "a friend to all and an enemy to none".

Duterte attested to the freedom being enjoyed by Filipinos during the democracy summit.

He also made references to his administration, particularly his failed attempt at transforming the Philippines into a federalized state.

Related Tags

President Duterte Joe Biden vaccines covid-19 Sinovac Talk to the People manila United States Philippines Beijing 121321 good friends US summit for Democracy West Philippine Sea china
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