Chinese envoy vows regular meetings on infrastructure deals

MANILA, Philippines — Newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian has committed to facilitate the conduct of regular meetings between Manila and Beijing to discuss China-funded infrastructure projects under the Build Build Build program, the Department of Finance (DOF) said over the weekend.

The DOF said Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, during a courtesy visit from Huang, proposed for high-level officials from the Philippines and China to hold regular dialogues to thresh out details of infrastructure projects funded by the latter.

“It would be very helpful if we have a regular meetings regarding these projects. Our suggestion has always been to meet once every three or four months,” Dominguez said. 

Huang, who replaced Ambassador Zhao Jianhua as China’s ambassador to the Philippines, welcomed the proposal.

“We will try to make this happen as soon as possible. My suggestion is we need to institutionalize that kind of mechanism. Every three months to take place, every quarter,” Huang said. 

The new ambassador said he would support efforts to ensure that projects under the Build, Build, Build program, which are being financed by China are launched “as soon as possible.” 

“We hope all these projects will bring real tangible benefits to our people,” he said. 

During the meeting with Dominguez, Huang also reiterated China’s commitment to further enhance bilateral relations with the Philippines.

Both officials discussed ways of improving people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries, particularly in the fields of sports, music and entertainment.

Since the start of the Duterte administration in 2016, the two countries have so far signed three loan agreements amounting to $493.08 million. 

These include the $62.09 million loan accord for the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project, $211.21 million assistance for the New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam project, and the $219.78 million loan for the project management consultancy of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) South Long Haul Project.

The Philippines has also secured a total of $430.82 million worth of grants from China since then, the DOF said.

Last October, the Philippines and China signed and exchanged bilateral documents for the conduct of feasibility studies on two big-ticket projects under the Build Build Build program and four other agreements, covering areas of cooperation in trade, customs and communications. 

The six agreements were formalized during the official visit of Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua to the Philippines on Oct. 22 to 24.