The government of China is committed to help the Philippines in four key areas – agriculture, infrastructure, energy, and people-to-people relations – as a key step in enhancing mutual trust and cooperation between the two countries.
Liu Jiangchao, Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC), who is in Manila for a brief visit, said President Xi Jinping places great importance to China’s relationship with the Philippines.
“We are expecting stronger cooperation in moving towards the ‘Golden Era’ of our bilateral relations,” Liu, China’s former ambassador to the Philippines, said.
He also expressed China’s readiness to work with the Philippines in achieving peace and stability in the region.
Liu said China is ready to continue the dialogues and peaceful effort to finally find a settlement to the South China Sea dispute.
“There are legal barriers or factors standing in the way but I hope that both sides will move around these issues in a way that is feasible and practical so that cooperation could be realized and for both sides to demonstrate some kind of flexibility,” he added.
While in Manila, Liu met with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and House leaders led by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
He also proposed China’s Belt and Road, Global Development, and Global Security initiatives as a way of enhancing the bilateral relations between the Philippines and China.
The Chinese government, Liu said, is also committed in helping the Philippine government bring the Covid-19 pandemic under control, citing the success of China’s Zero-Covid policy which had to be instituted due to China’s big population and “for the sake of countries all over the world.”
Chinese fugitives, offshore gaming
China, Liu said, will also help in the search, capture, and repatriation of Chinese fugitives in the country, including those involved in the manufacture and trade of illegal drugs, offshore gaming, and economic crimes.
“We are ready to work with the Philippine government in eliminating the problems of illegal drugs as well as trafficking. It’s a hard job but China is willing to work with the Philippines,” Liu said.
“Any crime that will harm both China and the Philippines, not just offshore gaming but also fraud, we are against it,” Liu said.
He said China will continue the law enforcement cooperation with the Philippines, particularly on offshore gaming, because “the victims could be anywhere – they can be Chinese or Filipino.”
Agriculture
Liu said China is willing to offer its highly effective technology in agriculture to help the Philippines achieve food security by improving crop production as well as fertilizer use.
He said President Xi believes that “we have to hold the rice bowl in our own hands” to achieve food security.
PBBM’s China visit
Liu confirmed that the Chinese government is holding talks with their Philippine counterparts on the proposed visit of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to Beijing.
“He will be warmly welcomed in China,” Liu said.
Energy, tourism
The Chinese government, Liu said, is also ready to work with the Philippine government on hydro, coal, nuclear, solar and wind power as future energy sources for the country.
Liu also said that China is now fully open to foreign travelers, including Filipinos, and that more direct flights from Manila to Beijing are operating, on an average of six daily.
“There will be more flights, and it will be easier for travelers to come to China,” he said.