PASAY CITY -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in the Philippines on 05-06 July 2022 upon the invitation of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo.

In their bilateral discussions on 6 July 2022, Secretary Manalo enjoined SCFM Wang “to bring bilateral relations to even greater heights under the administration of President [Ferdinand R.] Marcos [Jr.], who has stated that he will prioritize Manila-Beijing ties, and noting his readiness to shift relations ‘to a higher gear.’”

Secretary Manalo likewise outlined his priorities with regard to Philippines-China relations, including strengthening economic ties and the closing of the trade gap between the two countries, and the revival of people-to-people exchanges through tourism, the resumption of flights, and the exchanges of students, teachers, and workers as the two countries move towards a post-pandemic normal.

In his remarks, SCFM Wang said that China looks forward to working with the Philippines on key aspects of the bilateral relations, specifically on cooperation in the areas of agriculture, infrastructure, energy, and people-to-people exchange. Aside from discussing the state of the bilateral relations, the two Ministers also exchanged views on regional issues over a working lunch, in particular ASEAN-China relations and China’s Global Development Initiative.

After their meeting, Secretary Manalo and SCFM Wang launched the Samal Island Davao Connector Bridge Project, which is a flagship project under the previous administration’s Build Build Build infrastructure program. Once completed, the bridge will provide a resilient and reliable transportation link between Metro Davao and Samal Island, reducing the travel time from around half an hour to only five minutes. Secretary Manuel Bonoan and Undersecretary Emil Sadain of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which is the main proponent of the project, joined the two Ministers for the launching ceremony. 

The two Ministers also witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Providing Financial Services to Promote the Cooperation between the Stock Exchanges of the Philippines and China. The MOU was signed between President and CEO of the Philippine Stock Exchange Ramon Monzon, and Country Head of the Manila Branch of the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Deng Jun. The MOU seeks to promote bilateral investment and trade through capital market linkages between the two countries. The signing was also witnessed by the Securities and Exchange Commission Chairperson Emilio B. Aquino, and Department of Finance Undersecretary Mark Dennis Joven.

SCFM Wang is the first official guest of Secretary Manalo, who assumed office on 01 July 2022. During his visit, SCFM also paid courtesy calls on President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr, Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, and National Security Adviser Clarita R. Carlos. (DFA)