By Azer Parrocha | Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The fourth official visit of President Rodrigo Duterte to Beijing, China to attend the 2nd Belt and Road Forum was “highly successful”, Malacañang said on Sunday.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo noted that Duterte’s trip paved the way for the signing of 19 business agreements on investments such as in energy, infrastructure that includes tourism-related facilities and internet connectivity, agriculture and training of Filipinos sojourning in China, to name a few.
“As PRRD noted, the People’s Republic of China is the largest trading partner and a major source of foreign investments of the Philippines,” Panelo said.
Panelo said the estimated investment value of these agreements is US12.165 billion which will create more than 21,000 jobs for Filipinos.
Duterte gave assurance to prospective foreign investors that the Philippine government will create an enabling environment for their investments to prosper.
The President also had, as Panelo described, “productive and fruitful” separate bilateral meetings with top Chinese leaders where he affirmed the country’s commitment to friendship and understanding with China.
“He expressed the country’s readiness to pursue more high-quality and good-impact projects,” Panelo said.
Panelo said Duterte’s bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping yielded a 1 billion Renminbi (over PHP7 billion) grant to the Philippines.
Duterte reiterated to Xi his resolve to endeavor to make the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) a sea of peace, stability, and prosperity.
“He expounded the need for both countries to exercise restraint and caution to avoid actions that could complicate situations,” Panelo said.
Meanwhile, Panelo pointed out that Duterte also advocated for the protection and welfare of migrant workers during the High-Level Meeting Session 1 of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.
Duterte pitched for development assistance based on reciprocal benefits, Panelo added.
In his last day in China, Panelo said Duterte attended the Leaders’ Roundtable Sessions in the Yanqi Lake International Conference Center where he emphasized the value of the nations, especially in Asia, working together with a shared goal of inclusive, equitable and sustainable growth and prosperity.
“He welcomed economic investments that will help our country improve its economic productivity in the area of agriculture as well as in our country’s massive infrastructure development program while ensuring that it will be clean and green,” Panelo said.
Panelo, meanwhile, assured Filipinos that Duterte is chartering an “independent foreign policy to a new height of diplomatic relations with other nations.”
He said this independent policy will be solely based on national security and interest, national development, and the aspiration to attain economic progress and a comfortable life.
