The Philippines is reaping benefits from its friendly relations with China despite a lingering territorial conflict.

Amid the renewed tension in the West Philippine Sea, Malacañang has opted to present a list of projects and other forms of development aid given by China to the Philippines in recent years.

The government list included various infrastructure projects worth billions of pesos, relief assistance during natural calamities, as well as the 1 million coronavirus vaccines donated by China.

"Habang ginagamit natin ang productive diplomacy at effective deterrence sa pagtanggol ng ating sovereignty at sovereign rights at i-secure ang ating maritime security, hindi natin papayagan ang ating territorial at maritime disputes sa Tsina na maging sagabal sa ating bilateral cooperation sa urgent issue sa laban natin sa COVID-19, partikular ang pangangailangan natin sa bakuna (While we use productive diplomacy and effective deterrence in defending our sovereignty and sovereign rights and securing maritime security, we will not allow our territorial and maritime disputes with China to hamper our bilateral cooperation in urgent issues such as the fight against COVID-19, especially in our need for vaccines)," Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said during an online briefing Tuesday, May 4.

"Pag-usapan naman po natin ang bunga ng ating pagkakaibigan po sa Tsina (Let's talk about the fruits of our friendship with China)," he said.

Citing information from the Department of Public Works and Highways, Roque mentioned seven major infrastructure projects with development assistance from China.

The Chinese-assisted projects are the following:

- P3.39 billion Binondo-Intramuros Bridge as part of China's grant-aid to the Philippines. The four-lane bridge project, which began in August 2018, is expected to be completed on Sept. 17, 2021;

- P1.46 billion Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge, another grant-aid given by China. The target completion of the bridge is one June 27, 2021;

- P28.26 billion Davao City Coastal Road. The 18.21-kilometer road project, funded by a grant from China, will be completed in 2026;

- P8.2 billion Panglao-Tagbilaran City offshore connector bridge in Bohol. The project, funded by a Chinese grant-aid, involves the construction of two iconic bridges with an estimated length of 1,478 linear meters. The construction schedule is from 2021 to 2024.

- P14.37 billion Pasig-Marikina River and Manggahan Floodway Bridges Construction project; The project, assisted by China's financing facility, involves the construction of the North and South Harbor Bridge, Palanca-Villegas Bridge; and Eastbank-Westbank Bridge 2. The Department of Finance is currently waiting for the conclusion of evaluation of the loan application from CEXIM bank. The proposed target completion is August 2024.

- P39.21 billion Mindanao River Basin Project. The first contract package includes construction of road dike in Ambal-Simuay River, dredging and excavation in Ambal-Simuay River; dredging in Rio Grande de Mindanao. The contract package two involves construction of road dike and gates in Rio Grande and raising of Cotabato City East Diversion Road. The project timeline is from 2020 to 2026.

- P23.039 billion Samal Island-Davao City Connector Project funded by Chinese official development assistance. The project involves the construction of a toll-free four-lane bridge linking Davao and Samal Island. The loan negotiation process is ongoing.

Apart from Chinese-assisted projects, Roque said Beijing has given $10.89 worth of donations to assist the Philippines when it was hit by natural calamities from October 2016 to January 2021.

China also came to the country's aid in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, according to Roque.

The donations and assistance include testing kits, masks, personal protective equipment, ventilators, face shields, and dispatch of a medical expert team.

Roque said China also donated 1 million doses of coronavirus vaccines developed by Sinovac to the Philippines. Another 1,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccines were also given by China. President Duterte received his first shot of the Sinopharm vaccine donated by China, Roque said.

He said the two countries have signed an economic and technical cooperation agreement worth $77.38 million that can be "used fully or partially for COVID-19 response." The agreement was signed last January.

Asked why he was highlighting China's aid to the Philippine when other countries like Japan have given bigger assistance to Manila, Roque said he was not comparing the assistance given by nations.

"Ang binasa ko lang po is a statement of fact, ito po ang mga proyekto na napondohan na ng mga Tsina at iyong mga halagang natanggap na natin sa Tsina (What I read is a statement of fact. These are the projects funded by China and that's the amount we received from China)," he said.

President Duterte earlier ruled out going to war with China over the territorial dispute, insisting the country still considers Beijing a "good friend" and a "benefactor." Duterte however vowed he would not compromise the country's sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea despite China's aid to the country, including coronavirus vaccines. He directed the country's patrol ships not to leave the contested waters.

The tension between the two nations heated up after Manila protested the presence of Chinese vessels in local waters. China claimed these were merely fishing vessels taking shelter from rough seas.