Secretary Locsin Welcomes Chinese Foreign Minister Wang; Hold Talks to Advance Cooperation on COVID-19 Response, Infrastructure
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. (left) and visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister (SCFM) Wang Yi (right) (Photo by DFA-OPCD Vanessa Ubac)
TAGUIG CITY 16 January 2021 — Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. and visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister (SCFM) Wang Yi met today in Taguig City, highlighting a two-day official visit by the latter that began yesterday.
Taking stock of the 45-year-old bilateral partnership, the ministerial talks covered a full agenda on enhancing the relationship, which had been elevated to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation during the State visit of President Xi Jinping to the Philippines in November 2018. With both countries at a crucial stage in curbing COVID-19 and responding to the new strain, the two Ministers continued discussions started last year on cooperation to surmount the pandemic in terms of containment, vaccines, and economic revitalization.
Secretary Locsin thanked SCFM Wang Yi for China’s assistance to the Philippines’ public health response since the outbreak, by way of in-kind and equipment donation, as well as the sharing of best practices and know-how through medical experts. The State Councilor informed the Secretary of China’s intention to donate 500,000 doses of vaccines to the Philippines, in keeping with President Xi’s commitment to President Duterte.
The two Ministers committed to step-up collaboration on infrastructure projects under the Build Build Build program to deliver on commitments.
Secretary Locsin and Minister Wang Yi confirmed that differences on contentious maritime issues do not represent the entirety of the Philippines-China bilateral relationship. Both sides renewed their commitment to mutual respect, managing issues peacefully and in accordance with international law, and exploring areas for possible cooperation.
In surveying security developments in the region, the two ministers also discussed cooperation within ASEAN-led frameworks and agreed on the importance of preserving and promoting regional peace, stability and security.
At the conclusion of their meeting, Secretary Locsin and SCFM Wang Yi witnessed the signing of the Philippines-China Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation by Finance Undersecretary Mark Joven and China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) Vice Chair Deng Boqing. The agreement makes available a grant of 500 million RMB to finance livelihood projects, infrastructure facilities, feasibility studies for major projects and other mutually agreed projects.
They also witnessed the ceremonial unveiling of a plaque to mark the designation of the Bank of China’s Manila Branch as Renminbi Clearing Bank in the Philippines led by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin E. Diokno and Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian. The launch of the Renminbi clearing facility will help boost the country’s financial sector and improve trading rates for participating Philippine banks.
SCFM Wang Yi’s visit reciprocates Secretary Locsin’s visit to Tengchong City, Yunnan, China, in October 2020. END
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. (left) and visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister (SCFM) Wang Yi (right) (Photo by DFA-OPCD Vanessa Ubac)
Ceremonial unveiling of a plaque to mark the designation of the Bank of China’s Manila Branch as Renminbi Clearing Bank in the Philippines. (Photo by DFA-OPCD Vanessa Ubac)
(Photo by DFA-OPCD Vanessa Ubac)