Locsin: Rise of China means growth of PH, neighbors

MANILA — Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Tuesday reaffirmed the Philippines support to China as the rising power in the East, saying the emergence of a “new China” creates a world where the developing nations have a chance.

Locsin said Manila has much to hope for, and nothing to fear from the rise of a new power. This, as it hoped for a “new world” where a state’s goal to get richer is through helping others prosper.

Citing what he wrote in the Philippine-China memorandum of understanding on the Belt and Road Initiative, Locsin said there is no other country but the new China that aspired to rise higher by helping others rise alongside her.

“To put it in concrete terms, without the new China, there will be no prospect whatsoever for the developing world to grow into emerging economies. We would still be, as throughout the second half of the last century we were, at the mercy of Western markets which, on a whim, can turn us away—as they did throughout the post- and neo-colonial period,” he said during a joint presser with State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday.

“The emergence of a new China is creating a world where the lesser have a chance. And more than a chance: cooperation for mutual benefit instead of words,” he added.

On the two countries’ cooperation, Locsin and Wang vowed to deepen Philippines-China relations.

Although a lot of work remains to be done, there are “greater advantages” in the two nations’ collaboration across a wide range of areas, Locsin said.

“There is so much to look forward to and accomplish that will be of much greater value to both of us than those differences can ever be to each one,” he noted.

Locsin also assured the Chinese official that Manila will look after the Chinese people in the Philippines.

“You have our assurance that the Philippines will look out for your people in my country as I have seen China look out for our people in yours,” said Locsin, who is in Beijing for his first official visit to China.

Prior to his presser with Wang, he met with Vice President Wang Qishan, a stalwart of the Chinese Communist Party, who reaffirmed China’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations with Manila.

Also present during the meeting were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Philippine economic managers led by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez.