President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday renewed their commitment to further boost relations between Manila and Beijing to ensure the two nations’ recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The two leaders made the vow during their “warm, open, and productive” phone call that lasted 45 minutes, the Office of the President said in a statement.
They “reaffirmed once again the importance of the enduring friendship and the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation between the Philippines and China.”
Duterte, the Palace said, told Xi about the country’s resolve to strengthen its bilateral ties with China, particularly in trade and investment and infrastructure development.
He also emphasized the need for enhanced economic cooperation to hasten the two countries’ post-pandemic recovery, it said.
“Asia’s dynamic future depends on how hard we all work together, how we respect each other, and how we ensure that we as nations are mindful not just of our rights but of our responsibilities,” Duterte said.
Malacañang said the President also expressed hope for increased Chinese investments in key sectors, such as agriculture, fisheries, information, and communications technology, and science and technology.
Duterte likewise conveyed gratitude for China’s assistance to the Philippines in its COVID-19 response and expressed optimism on the two nations’ greater collaboration in the public health sector, particularly in vaccine development and production.
Xi, in turn, assured Duterte that China will continue to foster a “principled friendship” with the Philippines, as well as strengthen the two countries’ comprehensive partnership.
“For his part, President Xi thanked President Duterte whom he considers ‘a good friend and colleague’ for the inspiring remarks at the World Political Parties Summit (WPPS) held in July 2021, and for his vital role in putting China-Philippines relations back on track,” Malacañang said.
Echoing Duterte’s remarks at the WPPS that “we live in one global village” with a common destiny, Xi also emphasized that China is prepared to seize opportunities “to advance the cause of peace and prosperity for the whole of humanity together with the Philippines.”
Xi likewise guaranteed that China, honoring its promise to its friends, is ready to work with the Philippines to make sure that all bilateral projects come to fruition.
“In particular, China will continue to support the administration’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ program, as well as the government’s ongoing efforts to defeat COVID-19, including through a possible joint collaboration on vaccine development and production, President Xi elaborated,” the Palace said.