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'Normal' for neighbors like China, PH to have differences — Chinese envoy
'Normal' for neighbors like China, PH to have differences — Chinese envoy
By Roy Mabasa
Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian on Friday said it is normal for neighbors like China and the Philippines to have differences as he expressed his belief that the coronavirus pandemic is a “test of friendship” between the two countries.
Speaking at the virtual Vaccine Summit organized by the various Manila-based business chambers, Huang warned the Philippines against “some countries” trying to sow discord and taking advantage of the differences between Manila and Beijing in an apparent reference to the West Philippine Sea issue.
“China and the Philippines are neighbors and that cannot be moved away. For neighbors, it is normal to have differences. What matters is that we handle them in a mature and constructive manner,” the Chinese envoy said.
Huang maintained that the Chinese people not only value promises, integrity, and mean what they say but they also believe in the old saying that “a friend in need is a friend indeed.”
Since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic last year, he said China has already donated a total of 1 million doses to the Philippines and prioritized vaccine export to the country.
To date, Huang said a total of 3.5 million doses of China-made Sinovac CoronaVac jabs have been delivered to the Philippines and another two million procured by the Philippine government arriving next month.
Huang stressed that China is committed to helping not only the Philippines but all other developing countries who are in need to fight the spread of COVID-19 as declared by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the onset of the pandemic.
Despite the domestic supply shortage, he said China has provided vaccines to almost 80 countries and through international organizations.
On the contrary, Huang noted that “certain vaccine-producing countries” are hoarding large amounts of vaccine doses “far beyond their real needs.”
“Vaccine nationalism, contrary to international values and justice, undermines the international community’s hard work to fight against the pandemic,” he said.
Through solidarity and mutual assistance, the Chinese top diplomat in Manila believes that both countries will prevail over the pandemic and “will withstand the test of time”.