Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo says the scheduled visit of Chinese President Xi Jingping to the Philippines later this month will result in the further strengthening of the relations between the two countries.
She made the statement over the weekend even as she put to rest on Tuesday the rumors she would soon be appointed Finance secretary in the Duterte administration.
“It is so hypothetical,” Arroyo told reporters.
In her Keynote Speech at the Boao Forum for the Asia Youth Summit 2018 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, Arroyo said Philippine-China relations had a deep foundation and that she expected Xi’s visit to further boost those relations given the “favorable” status under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“I expect President Xi’s visit to further strengthen the relations between our two countries,” Arroyo said.
“Our evolving relationship is part of a history that dates back to the previous leaders of our two countries, so it has a deep foundation. Now, the current status continues to be favorable because President Rodrigo Duterte is a friend of China.”
She said keeping a good relationship with China was important to the Philippines because of its geographical location, trading partnership, and proven capability in infrastructure development.
“The relationship between China and the Philippines is very important for my country. One major reason is geography: The Philippines and China are located within each other’s backyard, so to speak, so good relations between neighbors is always a priority. Second, China is increasingly involved not only in bilateral dealings but also collectively, such as through the ASEAN of which the Philippines is an active member.”
The former president also said China was poised to become the largest economy in the world so that it was essential that the Philippines be friends with China.
“Third, China’s economy remains the most dynamic and fast growing among the major nations, and will soon become the largest economy in the world, so of course, it is good to be friends with China,” Arroyo said.
She also cited the vibrant Filipino-Chinese community in the country and China’s track record in infrastructure development among the other reasons why the Philippines needed to keep good relations with China.
“Fourth, domestically, the Philippines has a very vibrant Filipino-Chinese community for whom increased business dealings with China is very natural,” Arroyo said.
“And fifth, infrastructure will be very important for the Philippines in the coming years, and there is no country in the world that matches China’s recent track record and capability in this area.”
The BFA Youth Summit is an annual meeting that invites political leaders, specialists, and scholars across Hong Kong, Mainland China, and other countries to offer valuable perspectives on Asian economic trends, youth development, education, technology, creativity, and innovation.
Arroyo brought 10 Filipino youth to the summit to gain valuable insights on the tremendous growth in China to inspire them to create positive change for growth in their respective communities. The youth also went to Guangzhou in mainland China to witness its remarkable growth.
Arroyo said days after the United States took steps towards a trade war, Xi stressed the need for greater cooperation and commitment to building an open economy. She said that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a proposed mega free trade agreement among the member states of ASEAN including the Philippines, and six Asia-Pacific states, including China, would provide the impetus for the trade tension.
“The trade tension with the United States provides an impetus for RCEP. With China’s participation, the proposed RCEP will be the world’s largest trading bloc,” she said.