Agreements include trade and investments, maritime security

The Philippines and China have forged 13 landmark agreements, from trade and investments to maritime security, the latest sign of the “full recovery” of the two countries’ friendship and bilateral relations.

As the ties return to “normal level,” the two Asian countries also agreed to strengthen partnership and cooperation on law enforcement against illegal drugs, transportation infrastructure, tourism, fisheries, among others.

The signing of the agreements was witnessed by President Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping after holding “fruitful” bilateral talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday. The two leaders have agreed to revitalize diplomatic and economic relations, which have been previously strained by disputes in the South China Sea, and export areas of cooperation.

“China has been a friend of the Philippines and the roots of our bonds are very deep and not easily severed,” President Duterte said in his remarks.

“Even as we arrived in Beijing close to winter, this is a springtime of our relationship,” said Duterte, who called his trip “very significant.”

‘Blood brothers’

BUDDING FRIENDSHIP — President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the welcoming ceremony for the Philippine leader at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday. (Reuters)

President Xi, for his part, welcomed Duterte’s visit to China to fully improve the relations between the two countries, which he described as “blood brothers.” He said the two nations have “weathered storms but the foundation and cooperation of their relations would not be changed.”

“I hope we can follow the wishes of the people and use this visit as an opportunity to push China-Philippines relations back on a friendly footing and fully improve things,” the Chinese leader sad.

Despite a lingering territorial row, the coast guards of the two countries have agreed to work together on ensuring maritime security in the region. One of the key agreements signed was “the memorandum of understanding on the establishment of a joint coast guard committee on maritime cooperation.”

China also expressed support to the Philippine efforts in drug trafficking, particularly in helping law enforcement cooperation. The agreement on the “protocol on cooperation” was signed between Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Narcotics Control Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security of China.

China also offered to provide financial support for Philippine infrastructure projects while allowing market access to Philippine agricultural exports to the mainland.

Also signed by the two countries is the memorandum of understanding on the lists of transportation and infrastructure cooperation projects. A memorandum of understanding on financing cooperation was also forged between China’s EXIMBANK (Export-Import Bank of China) and the Department of the Treasury of the Philippines.

China also announced the lifting of its travel warning against the Philippines, paving the way for entry of more Chinese tourists to the country.

“President Xi Jinping has announced that China will lift the travel advisories issued a few years ago to Chinese citizens traveling to the Philippines. And this lift will encourage more Chinese citizens to travel in the Philippines,” Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said in a later press briefing.

The two countries likewise forged an agreement on the economic and technological cooperation in a bid to boost growth and development. Another memorandum of understanding on strengthening trade, investment, and economic cooperation was also inked by the two governments.

Back to normal

Liu said Duterte’s visit “signifies the full recovery of China, the Philippines friendship back to the normal level.”

“It means a full recovery of the traditional friendship between China and the Philippines,” he said.

Other deals signed between the Philippines and China were the memorandum of understanding on production capacity and investment cooperation; memorandum of understanding on drafting China-Philippines Economic Cooperation Development Plans; memorandum of understanding on the tourism implementation plan for 2017-2022; memorandum on agricultural cooperation action plan 2017-2019; memorandum of understanding on supporting conduct of feasibility studies for major projects; memorandum of understanding on news information exchange training; and memorandum of understanding on cooperation on animal and plant inspection and quarantine.

Prior to the meeting, President Duterte, who wore a suit and a tie, was given a red carpet welcome at east plaza of the Great Hall of the People.

Military guards also lined up to accord full honors to the visiting Philippine President, who was accompanied by Xi.

Apart from the welcome honors, Duterte and his delegation are expected to be given a state banquet by President Xi.

Duterte, on a four-day state visit to China since Tuesday, was also scheduled to meet with other Chinese government leaders and business community in Beijing.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Genalyn Kabiling

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