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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider China assures PH of assistance amid COVID-19 outbreak

China assures PH of assistance amid COVID-19 outbreak

Published Mar 12, 2020 12:00 am
By Roy Mabasa Beijing stands ready to join hands with the Philippines to overcome the difficulties it is facing amid the scourge of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Chinese Embassy in Manila said in a statement released on Thursday. REY2 President Rodrigo Roa Duterte reads a document while discussing matters with Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Philippines Huang Xilian who paid a courtesy call on the President at the Malacañan Palace on March 11, 2020. REY BANIQUET/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO President Rodrigo Roa Duterte reads a document while discussing matters with Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Philippines Huang Xilian who paid a courtesy call on the President at the Malacañan Palace on March 11, 2020. (REY BANIQUET/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO) The difficulties and challenges brought by COVID-19 were among the topics discussed during the courtesy call of Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian to President Duterte in Malacañang on Wednesday, where the former conveyed his government’s willingness to extend assistance to the Philippines. In their meeting, the Chinese envoy conveyed his country’s appreciation of the solidarity and valuable support given by the Philippine government amid the outbreak of COVID-19 which originated in Wuhan, China. “In the same spirit, China stands ready to join hands with the Philippines to overcome the current difficulties, and is willing to extend assistance to the best of its capabilities in line with the needs of the Philippine side,” the Chinese Embassy said in a statement. Furthermore, Huang assured Duterte on furthering China-Philippines' cooperation, including major infrastructure projects and robust trade, even as he reiterated that China will “consistently support the independent foreign policy of the Philippines for its own good.” In the same meeting, the President extended his sympathies to the Chinese people affected by the COVID-19 outbreak and expressed his full confidence that China will defeat the epidemic under the strong leadership of his counterpart, President Xi Jinping. Among those present at the call were Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., Health Sec. Francisco Duque III, Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, Chief of Presidential Protocol Robert Eric Borje, and Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy Tan Qingsheng.
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