China supports investment in Philippine infrastructure

Huang Xilian (left), Chinese ambassador to the Philippines, called on Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte at the Malacañan Palace in Manila on March 11, 2020. Also present were Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III, Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, Chief of Presidential Protocol Robert Eric Borje, and Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy Tan Qingsheng. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

MANILA – The Chinese government encourages Chinese companies to take part in the commercially feasible projects in the Philippines to help the Southeast Asian country to build its much-needed infrastructure, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said on Thursday.

"China understands the desire of the Philippine local governments to promote large-scale infrastructure projects. Large-scale infrastructure projects, however, require big investments and long periods," Huang said, while touring the building site of a Chinese-donated bridge in Manila.

We hope that related Philippine local governments will create a favorable business environment for them as well, so as to continue increasing its attractiveness to foreign capital, and strengthen the confidence of Chinese companies who invest in the Philippines.

Huang Xilian, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines

In his talks, Huang also mentioned a recently-canceled airport project in the Cavite province, south of Manila, and made some clarifications on the project.

"What the Cavite Provincial Government canceled was the feasibility study project of the Sangley Point Airport, not the so-called 10 billion US dollar project," Huang said.

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According to the agreement of both sides, the winning bidder, a joint venture of the Chinese company and its Philippine partners, would invest US$20 million on their own within a certain period of time and they would conduct the feasibility study of the construction of Sangley Point Airport for the Cavite Provincial government, Huang added.

"The feasibility study project between the Cavite Provincial government and the joint venture is a pure commercial project and not related to the central government of the Philippines or the Chinese government," Huang clarified.

"It is also not relevant to the Belt and Road Initiative or any third party. Some people politicized this issue based on their speculation, whose purpose is totally unknown," Huang asserted.

Huang further pointed out that it requires all related stakeholders to make long-term and unremitting efforts to ensure progress and success of a project.

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"We hope that related Philippine local governments will create a favorable business environment for them as well, so as to continue increasing its attractiveness to foreign capital, and strengthen the confidence of Chinese companies who invest in the Philippines," Huang said.