BEIJING – The Philippines considers China as a partner in development, not a hostile or an enemy, as President Duterte embarks on a four-day visit to China, the country’s top diplomat said Wednesday.
The President is expected to arrive in Beijing Wednesday night to attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation this week.
On the sidelines of the summit, Duterte is expected to forge closer economic and security ties with China in his bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People Thursday.
According to Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana, the country has applied a two-track approach with China that involves managing the South China Sea dispute through dialogue while maximizing other areas of cooperation.
“The compass we use is our national interest and our Constitution. Meaning, you defend what is yours, what you believe is yours and you maximize where you can cooperate,” he said during an interview with reporters at the Philippine Embassy in Beijing.
“In the same way that we view China, not as a hostile or an enemy but rather as a partner in development. And then the aspect where you have differences, you try to manage and you try to deal with – in diplomacy,” he said.
At the Belt and Road Forum that opens Friday, Sta. Romana said the President is expected to make a pitch for closer economic cooperation and regional connectivity.
The forum will also be a chance for Duterte to attract foreign investments to the country, particularly on the “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program.
“The importance of President Duterte’s presence is that he will be able not only to network with other leaders there. Thirty-seven leaders will be around, as well as to continue the discussion with President Xi, but really to seek new economic opportunities, new markets for the Philippines,” he said.
“So in the end, it is how to boost Build, Build, Build, how to boost economic development in the Philippines, and how in the end to improve the living standards of the people in the Philippines. That is the ultimate goal,” he said. (Genalyn Kabiling)
