China has joined the Philippine government in ground breaking for the Samal Island-Davao City Connector bridge project, which it helped fund by financing $350 million in concessional loan.
Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said Thursday that the project will facilitate the residents' travel as well as promote the development of the Samal island and enhance the sustainable development of Davao City and surrounding regions.
"It reflects China’s commitment to the Build Better More program of the Philippine government, and marks a significant milestone of the bilateral cooperation," Huang also said in his speech during the ceremony.
The Chinese diplomat also gave assurance that China is willing to work alongside the country, which it considers as a close neighbor, as it also pursues its path to modernization.
"I believe this will surely facilitate the Philippines' economic transformation and modernization process," Huang said, adding that President Ferdinand Marcos' initiatives in his first 100 days in office resonate "with the development method of Chinese modernization."
"Looking ahead, great potential is to be exploited for China-Philippines," he added.