PHL to play important role in expanding China's Belt and Road Initiative

The Philippine will play an important role in expanding China's Belt and Road Initiative to Pacific island-nations, a political and security scholar said Saturday.

"Magiging mahalaga ang Pilipinas para i-extend ang Belt and Road Initiative sa Pacific island states, including Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, mga Pacific islands like Samoa kasi gusto ng China mag-expand sa mga areas na 'yan,"  Professor Rommel Banlaoi of the Philippine Association of Chinese Studies said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

The Belt and Road Initiative, also known as the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative, was proposed by China in 2013 with the aim of building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes.

Due to its strategic location at the maritime trading routes in the Pacific, the Philippines will be an important partner for China's expansion of its Belt and Road Initiative in the region.

"Dahil sa patuloy na pakikipag-usap ng Pilipinas at China ay unti-unting nagiging malinaw kung ano ang magiging papel ng Pilipinas sa Belt and Road Initiative na ito," Banlaoi.

The Philippines will be part of the said initiative through China's financing of the Duterte administration's "Build, Build, Build" program, according to the expert.

"Tinitignan ng China kung papaano maifi-finance ang 'Build, Build, Build' program within its Belt and Road Initiative... kasi important aspect 'yung interconnection ng ports systems, airports, roads connectivity," Banlaoi said.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said China's Belt and Road initiative fits with the Philippines' 2017-2022 development plan, especially in infrastructure development, and offers tremendous cooperation possibilities for both countries. —Ted Cordero/KG, GMA News