PH, China ink 14 deals on agri, infra, maritime, tourism

MANILA -- At least 14 bilateral agreements were inked between the Philippines and China on the second day of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s state visit to Beijing, Malacañang announced Wednesday.

The signed deals aim to enhance the two countries' cooperation in various fields, including agriculture, infrastructure, development cooperation, maritime security and tourism, Undersecretary Cheloy Garafil, officer-in-charge of the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) said in a statement.

Garafil said a joint action plan for 2023-2025 on agricultural and fisheries cooperation was signed between the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.She added there was also an agreement between the DA and China's General Administration of Customs for the protocol of phytosanitary requirements for the export of fresh durians from the Philippines to China.

The two countries, Garafil said, also inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global infrastructure development strategy launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013 to invest in nearly 150 countries and international organizations, enhancing connectivity and facilitating smoother trade flows among Asia, Europe, and Africa.

Garafil said another MOU was signed between the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and China’s to improve the two nations’ cooperation on digital and information and communications technology (ICT).

Manila and Beijing also agreed on the handover certificate of the Philippine-Sino Center for Agricultural TechnologyTechnological Cooperation Phase III (PHILSCAT-TCP III), Garafil added.

Garafil said a handover certificate of two China-aid bridge projects in Manila, the Binondo-Intramuros bridge and the Estrella-Pantaleon bridge, was also sealed.

She said Manila and Beijing also had a framework agreement for the Renminbi-portion of the loan financing for three priority projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The two countries, Garafil said, also sealed four loan agreements for the mixed-credit financing (US Dollar and Renminbi) of the DPWH’s three priority bridge projects.

Garafil noted that the Philippine and Chinese governments also agreed to implement the MOU on tourism between the Philippines' Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China.

She said an MOU on electronic commerce cooperation was also inked between the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and China’s Ministry of Commerce.

An MOU between the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and China's International Development Cooperation Agency was likewise signed for the implementation of the Development Cooperation Plan 2023-2025, Garafil said.

Garafil said there was also an agreement on economic and technical cooperation between China and the Philippines.

Also included in the list of deals was the mutual recognition agreement between the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and China’s General Administration of Customs of China for the implementation of the authorized economic operator program, she added.

Garafil said there was also an arrangement for the establishment of a communication mechanism on maritime issues between the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The 14 agreements are in addition to the existing 100 deals between the Philippines and China.

Marcos, before departing Manila for his China trip on Tuesday, expressed hope that his three-day state visit would help further elevate the two countries’ ties to "comprehensive strategic partnership" and improve their cooperation on key areas.

PBBM elated over China's readiness to import more fruits from PH

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday welcomed the commitment of Chinese President Xi Jinping to address the trade deficit gap as China readies to accept high-value Philippine agricultural products.

“I’m very glad that we are in the process of finalizing the rules and regulations for the import by China of fruits from the Philippines,” Marcos said in his bilateral meeting with Xi.

Earlier, the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) and China General Administration of Customs signed an agreement for the protocol of phytosanitary requirements for the export of fresh durians from the Philippines to China.

The DA and the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs also signed a joint action plan for 20232025 on agricultural and fisheries cooperation.

In total, the Philippines and China signed a total of 14 bilateral agreements in various fields, including agriculture, infrastructure, development cooperation, maritime security, and tourism.

Marcos acknowledged that China has become the Philippines’ largest trading partner, but noted an imbalance between exports and imports.

“I believe that very soon now, we will be able to see the different fruits… the high-quality agricultural products coming from the Philippines start to come into China to balance the trade situation that we have between China and the Philippines,” Marcos said.

China is the Philippines’ largest trading partner, the largest source of imports, and the second-largest export destination.

Likewise, Marcos told Xi that he looks forward to welcoming more Chinese travelers to the Philippines once the Covid-19 situation in China becomes more manageable.

The Philippine and Chinese governments earlier agreed to implement the memorandum of understanding on tourism between the Philippines' Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China.

China is the second largest source of foreign tourists in 2019 and a key player in inbound foreign direct investments and development assistance. (MNS)

Data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) showed that Chinese nationals accounted for 1.7 million arrivals in 2019.

Marcos said the Philippines and China must also focus on cultural and educational exchanges as well as people-to-people relationships to achieve a higher level of closeness and cooperation.

He said the two countries should also work for the transfer of technology in both directions particularly in addressing future health emergencies.

“And other pandemic lessons that we have to learn is that our health care system must be made more robust, made more efficient, and made more effective. And this is another one of the great priorities that we are going to have to attend to,” he added.

PBBM gets $22.8-B worth of investment pledges from China; cites frank talks with President Xi on WPS

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reported a productive state visit to China, where he underscored his “in-depth and frank” discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a bid to resolve issues on the West Philippine Sea.

“President Xi and I also had an in-depth and frank discussion on the West Philippine Sea issue. We took note of our growing maturity of this bilateral relationship – this bilateral relationship which now allows both sides to manage differences on the West Philippine Sea, so as to not allow it to hinder the rest of our fruitful engagements and multifaceted cooperation,” Marcos said in his arrival statement delivered at the Villamor Air Base.

In his bilateral meeting with President Xi, the chief executive said they affirmed that maritime issues do not comprise the entirety of Philippine-Chinese relations, but acknowledged as well that they remain a significant concern and priority for the Philippines and for the region.

The President also welcomed the signing of an agreement to establish direct communication lines to avoid miscommunication over issues in the West Philippine Sea.

President Marcos said he recognizes how China’s development has positively impacted the Philippines’ relationship with our Chinese friends, especially considering the ties between both countries as close neighbors and important bilateral partners.

“We renewed our commitment to strengthen bilateral cooperation as close neighbors in the Asia Pacific Region,” Marcos said.

The state visit, according to the President, “offered us an opportunity to exchange views on important issues that affect regional and global peace, stability, and development.”

In his three-day state visit, the President and selected members of his Cabinet also attended three roundtable meetings on agriculture, renewable energy and strategic manufacturing.

President Marcos reported an