President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said it is both a responsibility and a privilege for him to continue and foster the relationship between the Philippines and China, saying it was his family that led the establishment of the diplomatic ties between the two countries.

In his latest vlog, which was shot during his visit to China early this month, Marcos said it was his responsibility to continue promoting the good ties between the two countries.

He noted that his family started the Philippines’ diplomatic relations with China when former first lady Imelda Marcos made a State Visit to Beijing in 1974.

The diplomatic ties between the Philippines and China officially started in June 1975.

“Ngayon, ako ang itinadhanang maging pangulo sa susunod na anim na taon. Isang karangalan at responsibilidad para sa akin ang magpatuloy ng nasimulang magandang samahan halos kalahating siglo na ang nakalipas (Now that I was destined to be lead for the next six years, it’s an honor and a responsibility for me to continue the good relations that we started almost 50 years ago),” he said.

“Naging bahagi ako kahit papaano ng makasaysayang pangyayaring iyan. Kasama ang aking ina, ay nasimulan ang ating pakikipag-ugnayan sa iba’t ibang larangan — mula sa kalakalan, kultura, turismo, at marami pang iba (I was a part of that historic event. Together with my mother, we started our friendship in various fields– from trade, culture, tourism, and many others),” he added.

According to President Marcos, fostering the relationship between Manila and Beijing was vital amid the changing global economy.

“As the economies of the world and the global economy of the world change, it will present us (The Philippines and China) with many new opportunities, and I believe that if we face those challenges together and take advantage of the opportunities together, it would certainly be of mutual benefit to our two countries,” he said.

President Marcos noted how its relationship with China had benefited the Philippines, especially in the Covid-19 response, disaster response, infrastructure, and agriculture and technology.

“Kahit hindi sila kasama sa ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), tinuturing nating mahalagang kapitbahay ang Tsina (Even though it is not part of ASEAN, we regard China as an important neighbor),” he said.

“Malayo pa ang mararating ng ating magandang pakikipag-ugnayan sa bansang Tsina (Our good relations with China will even go a long way),” he added.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos

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