Philippine president calls for closer cooperation with China on energy, infrastructure

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday expressed willingness to make joint efforts with China to strengthen cooperation in the fields of energy and infrastructure. 

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in Davao, the Philippines, Oct. 29, 2018. [Photo: gov.cn]

"Now the shortage of energy and infrastructure hampers the Philippine economy, so the Philippines is willing to enhance cooperation with China in such areas," Duterte said in his meeting with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in the southern Philippine city of Davao.

The Philippine government also hopes China will provide support and help to the development of the Mindanao region, Duterte added.

During the meeting at the Presidential Guest House, Duterte expressed his satisfaction with the development of bilateral ties between the two countries.

The tremendous development achievements of China will bring important opportunities to the whole world, he said. The Philippines fully supports the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and is willing to carry out cooperation with China under the initiative, he added.

Duterte, who visited China and attended the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in 2017, said he will consider to attend the forum again in 2019. Duterte said as the country coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, the Philippines will make positive contributions to maintaining the peace and stability in the South China Sea and promoting cooperation between China and ASEAN countries.

The Philippines is also ready to strengthen communication and coordination with China in international affairs to uphold the international multilateral system and safeguard the common interests of developing countries, he said.

For his part, Wang recalled that the bilateral relations between China and the Philippines have fully improved and developed under the guidance of the leaders of the two countries. 

China will take the Belt and Road Initiative as an opportunity to strengthen mutual cooperation with the Philippines, so as to achieve common development, Wang said. 

"China and the Philippines have been good neighbors since ancient times and are dear to each other like members of one family. It will be proved that China is the most lasting, reliable and trustworthy partner of the Philippines during its process of national development," Wang said.

He also called for the two countries to work together with other countries in the world to defend multilateralism and international order so as to protect the interests of developing countries and new economies.