President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday emphasized the need to maintain the “constructive” and “peaceful” relations with China, saying the proverbial dragon of the East has already awakened and will continue to play a vital role in the region’s economic prosperity for years to come.
“Indeed, the sleeping dragon no more, China has realized its dream of progress and prosperity for its people. With this came great power and equally immense responsibility,” he said in a speech during Tuesday’s virtual Communist Party of China and World Political Parties Summit that marked 100 years of China’s ruling party
“There won’t be any turning back. China has risen and will play an important role in the global decades for decades to come,” he added.
Duterte said the Philippines values its strong ties with China, just as his own political party, the PDP-Laban, has friendly relations with the CPC.
“To further build mutual trust and confidence, we must sustain our constructive dialogue and peaceful engagement. This is crucial as the bilateral relations between our two countries expand and deepen. We count on China as a friend and partner for peace and development,” the President said.
“The ties between the Filipino and Chinese peoples are deep and enduring. They will remain so for as long as we continue to value win-win cooperation, amity and mutual respect,” he added.
Duterte said the “collective wisdom of the great Chinese nation” will ensure that China will “use its newfound strength in defense of what is good and just for all humanity.”
“After all, we exist in one global village. Our destinies are inextricably linked with each other. Peace and prosperity therefore must be shared and enjoyed by all,” he said.
The world faces tremendous challenges from COVID-19 to climate change and various security threats. While we see difficulties, we also glean many opportunities from greater cooperation and solidarity,” Duterte said.
In his meeting with PDP-Laban stalwarts Wednesday, Duterte said his friendship with China does not mean he is abandoning the country’s bilateral relations with the United States.
He, however, stressed that while the US is a longtime ally, it is also pushing for its own interests in the region.
So I made friends with China, but I never abandoned our relationship with America. I never said anything hurtful [to the US],” Duterte said.
“[But] Filipinos must realize that the Americans are here not because they want to defend us. It is just that this is their battleground.
Instead of fighting it out in the state of California, they would rather do it here in the Philippines, if we ever do have a battleground.”
“That is why we are neutral,” the President added.