The relation of Philippines with China has entered “a new era of comprehensive development” under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, according to the Chinese embassy.

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua said Thursday night that the good relations of the two countries will further improve with Hong Kong now serving as “a window to demonstrate China’s historic development to the world.”

“Ever since President Duterte took office, China-Philippines relations have entered a new era of comprehensive development. Hong Kong enjoys a good relation with the Philippines and Hong Kong has long been a trading partner to the Philippines,” Zhao said in his speech during the 20th anniversary celebration of Hong Kong’s return to China at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati City.

“In the past, Hong Kong was a window for China to connect with the world. At present, Hong Kong becomes a window to demonstrate China’s historic development to the world,” he added.

In fact, Zhao noted that there are about 200,000 Filipinos working in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR).

“HKSAR will be in a better position to enhance its cooperation with the Philippines, and contribute even more to the overall development of the relations between China and the Philippines,” he remarked.

With Hong Kong’s return to China, it has become the sixth largest exporter of merchandise trade and 15th largest exporter of commercial services in the world, thus the tag “world’s most competitive economy,” Zhao said.

“Looking into the future, we are quite confident that under the ‘One Country, Two Systems’, and with consistent and firm support from the Central Government, Hong Kong will further develop its unique advantages, and will enjoy more sustainable and greater prosperity,” he stated.

Last Wednesday, Zhao also led the turnover of about P370 million worth of rifles and ammunition to Duterte at the Clark Air Base in Pampanga to help the government win the battle against the Maute terrorists.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Martin Sadongdong

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