MANILA – Malacañang said Chinese President Xi Jinping promised to provide more assistance to the Philippines to aid its regional growth especially in Luzon and Mindanao.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Xi and President Rodrigo Duterte discussed on Thursday how the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) can help in Philippines’ economic development.
“President Xi manifested that China will provide more resources to Luzon and Mindanao to spur regional economic growth, and to promote Clark Green City through the building of an industrial park,” Panelo said.
“President Xi is committed to provide one-billion yuan grant to the Philippines,” he added.
According to the Chinese president, the BRI will play an important role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China relations, where Philippines plays a role as country coordinator, and in the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) through increased cooperation.
“We consider the BRI, as articulated by the President, as another opportunity to renew and reaffirm our valued relationship, which we must continue to foster in the coming years with an aspiration that our fellow Filipinos will feel the true benefits of the PH-China relation,” Panelo said.
Duterte and other world leaders and chiefs of international organizations attended the forum “to discuss, among others, how to boost connectivity, further strengthen policy synergy and build closer partnerships, and promote green and sustainable development.” /PN
