Phl, China agree to keep communication lines open

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine and Chinese officials have agreed to keep their communication lines open to ensure smoother export of local fruits to China, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

A three-member technical team from the Philippine Bureau of Plant Industry headed by Director Clarito Barron met with officials from the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) of China from May 21 to 26 to discuss quarantine procedures and protocol on fruits importation from the Philippines.

Other Philippine embassy officials in Beijing, including Agriculture Counsellor Victoriano Leviste and Commercial Counsellor Zafrullah Masahud, joined the meeting.

The week-long meeting included a visit to Waigaoqiao port in Shanghai and Dayaowan port in Dalian, where the Philippine officials observed the inspection and quarantine procedures of AQSIQ.

The discussions provided the Philippine side with insights into China’s phytosanitary and quarantine procedures and requirements.

The DFA said regular policy consultations between the two parties would be conducted henceforth to ensure smoother trade.

On the final day of the meeting, embassy Charge d’Affaires Alex Chua met with AQSIQ officials to express the country’s appreciation for Chinese officials‘ openness to negotiations as well as to assure them that Philippine bananas are “safe” and the “best.”

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, meanwhile, discussed with Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala the sending of more personnel to China to monitor phytosanitary procedures.

He also clarified that banana containers held in Chinese ports numbered 150, not 1,500.

China impounded Philippine fruit exports alleged to carry pests amid a tense standoff between the two countries over Panatag Shoal, also called Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal.

But the first impounding occurred in March, or a month before the Panatag Shoal standoff involving Chinese and Philippine vessels.