PORT MORESBY – The Philippines and China are expected to forge closer bilateral cooperation when Chinese President Xi Jinping visits the country on Nov. 20 and 21.
Several China-funded infrastructure deals are expected to be signed during the “historic” and “significant” state visit of Xi to the Philippines amid revitalized relations between the two countries, according to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III.
The proposed oil exploration deal between the Philippines and China is among the agreements being considered for signing.
“His visit is quite significant because it is a return visit to the state visit of the President two years ago where President Duterte very wisely turned the foreign policy of the Philippines towards Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Asia particularly to China,” Dominguez said on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit here.
“These face-to-face meetings are so important because they promote understanding and goodwill between the leaders but also show a good example to their citizens that, you know, the Philippines and China should cooperate more closely and cooperation comes from understanding each other, each other’s positions very well,” he added.
Dominguez, who will be the secretary-in-attendance during Xi’s visit, assured that preparations were underway to ensure a smooth and productive visit of the Chinese leader. This is Xi’s first state visit to the Philippines.
“The Philippines is preparing very hard for this historic meeting between the President of the Philippines and the President of China. It’s actually his first visit as President of China to the Philippines,” he said.
Dominguez said the proposed financing agreements for projects to be signed during Xi’s visit were presently being reviewed by different departments. These projects include New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam Project, the southern railway connecting Manila and Bicol, the Subic-Clark railway, and the Mindanao railway system. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)