President Rodrigo R. Duterte meets with Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councilor Wang Yi in a courtesy call on Saturday.
In the 40-minute courtesy call, President Duterte pointed out the continuous friendship between the Philippines and China amidst the global pandemic.
“China plays a very key role in reviving our region’s economy. Let us do all we can to revive economic activities between the Philippines and China.”
The Philippine President also emphasized the importance of comprehensive strategic cooperation. Cooperation and unity must be intensified to ensure the safety of all, especially in having an effective and safe vaccine together with the recovery of the economy from the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.
Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councilor Wang Yi assured that they will continue to support the Philippines in battling the virus. He announced that China will donate 500,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine but the brand is yet to be identified.
In relation to this, the 2 countries signed a grant agreement on economic and technical cooperation worth ₱3.72 billion that will help in supporting the development initiatives and infrastructures project of the Duterte Administration.
In addition, the biggest government to government project of the Philippines and China has been signed. The Subic-Clark Railway project worth $940 million aims to connect Subic Bay Freeport Zone and Clark International Airport in the North Railway project of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Moreover, the Samal Island-Davao City Connector Project commercial contract has also been signed. Its ground breaking is set in the first quarter of 2021. – Report from Naomi Tiburcio
