By Kris Crismundo/Philippine News Agency
BEIJING — President Rodrigo Duterte’s attendance to the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation happening in this city this week is an opportunity for the Philippines to seek synergy and convergence with developments in the region, the Philippine envoy here said.
In a press briefing Wednesday, Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana said participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) complements the “Build, Build, Build” Program of the government.
“It’s a chance for the Philippines, for President Duterte to participate in this broad platform for economic development and regional cooperation. It is also an opportunity for the Philippines to seek business, economic opportunities, new outlets for markets for our exports, new sources of foreign investment,” Sta. Romana said.
“But the key really is the idea of connectivity. And this is what has been the factor why the President is attending,” he added.
He mentioned that improving connectivity in the region is also a vision of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which the Philippines is a member state.
More than seeking alliance, Sta. Romana said the Philippines’ participation in the China-led BRI aims to boost its interaction with China and other countries under this platform.
He said the Philippines signed as a participating country in BRI in November 2018, more than a year after Duterte attended the first BRF in May 2017.
“It is for this convergence that we tried to seek synergy and will promote our economic interest that will boost our economic development and ultimately that will bring benefits to the Filipino people,” the envoy stressed.
Sta. Romana further explained that China’s mechanism in identifying projects and cooperation under the BRI is different in the Philippines compared to other countries.
In other countries, China and the other state designate projects under the BRI.
On the other hand, the Philippine government, through the National Economic and Development Authority, already lined up flagship projects that China may be interested to participate into. These projects are under the “Build, Build, Build” program of the administration.
Sta. Romana stressed that different countries can also invest in the infrastructure program of the Philippine government.
Meanwhile, the second BRF is bigger than the first one in 2017, as 37 state leaders are expected to attend this major diplomatic event in China from April 25 to 27.
China’s BRI aims to bolster connectivity in Asia, Africa, and Europe through trade and investments in infrastructure, following the ancient trade route called Silk Road.
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