Former President and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is "very optimistic" on the prospects of positive relations between the Philippines and China under the incoming administration of President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr.
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Arroyo, the comebacking Pampanga 2nd district representative, had this to say Wednesday, June 8 during the joint celebration of the 124th Philippine Independence Day and the 21st Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day.
"People have asked me, what are the prospects on China-Philippines relations under President Duterte's successor," Arroyo said in her message during the virtual event, referring to Marcos.
The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) organized the event, which took place on Zoom.
"I am very optimistic because, 1.) from President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., many of our presidents, in fact most of our presidents, have built on the positive relations between the Philippines and China. And 2.) we have you, the very dynamic community of Filipino-Chinese, particularly in the business sector, supportive of the next president," Arroyo said.
"President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s statement that relations with China will be expanded and shift to a higher gear bolsters this view. You're assured that your efforts to deepen Philippines-China relations will be appreciated and encouraged," she noted.
"Thus, we have more reasons to rejoice as we mark our 21st Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day and our 40th year of diplomatic ties with China," Arroyo further said.
Arroyo supported former senator Marcos's presidential bid in the May 9, 2022 elections.
During the FFCCCII event, the former president underscored the importance of Manila's bilateral ties with Beijing.
"Our relationship with China is very important for many reasons. One, the Philippines and China being neighbors should maintain good relations. Next, China is the fastest growing economy among the major nations and may soon become the world's largest. Then also, we need infrastructure and there is no country in the world that matches China's recent track record and capability in infrastructure development.
"But the best reason is you: the vibrant Filipino-Chinese community whose increased business dealings with China are very natural and should be furthered. China has been generous to us in the last 30-plus years, thanks in large part to the efforts of the Filipino-Chinese community," she said.
"The Filipino-Chinese community has been a potential link of Philippine-China relations and the federation has been the driving force of those activities that sustain the warmth of our countries' friendship. Thank you, FFCCCII," Arroyo further said.
Arroyo, the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president emeritus, also gave credit to the outgoing Duterte administration for reinvigorating Philippine-China relations.
"During my presidency, then-Chinese President Hu Jintao remarked that the Philippines and China were entering our golden age of friendship.
"The sheen of that golden age dimmed for a while after my term, but that was a fluke. With President Duterte at our country’s helm, our overall relations with China have gone back to being confident, mature, and comprehensive," she said.