By Leslie Gatpolintan/PNA
MANILA — China is keen to increase trade and economic ties with the Philippines, as it stands ready to support the country’s sustained growth, according to officials of the Chinese Embassy here.
“We still have a lot more potential to boost our bilateral trade,” Chargé D’affaires Tan Qingsheng said at the China-Philippines Business Forum here on Monday.
Tan cited the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Philippines last week when China agreed to open the door for more fresh coconuts and frozen fruits from the country.
“(This) will further increase the imports from the Philippines, and benefit the ordinary Filipino farmers,” he noted.
Tan pointed out that China has imported more than two million tons of tropical fruits worth USD 1.5 billion from the Philippines.
In more than two years, China has become the Philippines’ largest trading partner, largest export market and largest source of imports, he said.
Bilateral trade has reached 50 billion US dollars in 2017, he added.
The Chinese Embassy official also considered economic cooperation a “win-win choice” for both countries and should be the “bedrock” of their relations.
“Promoting sustainable economic growth and social development is the priority of President (Rodrigo) Duterte’s government. China is ready to provide our financial and technical support to the development of the Philippines,” Tan said.
He, however, underscored the need for China and the Philippines to provide an enabling environment for their enterprises to invest in each other’s country.
“Infrastructure is one of the key areas of cooperation. China attaches great importance to the Philippines’ “Build, Build, Build” Plan. We have made substantive progress in pressing ahead with some key infrastructure projects,” he added.
