PH-China ties to benefit economies in years to come — Marcos

BEIJING — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Wednesday expressed belief that the Philippines and Chinese relations would strengthen and benefit the two nations’ economies in the coming years.

Marcos met with Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, this morning. It was his first activity during his state visit.

During the meeting, Marcos expressed confidence that the next years will be "years of opportunity" for the two countries.

"I have always stated that the partnerships between them in the next few years will be partnerships that will stabilize and strengthen all our economies so that we are able to face challenges and the different shocks that we are now beginning to feel and will continue to feel in the next few years," Marcos said.

"Certainly, we have considered in the Philippines as of primary importance to increase the relationship and to strengthen the relationship between China and the Philippines," he added.

Present during the meeting were Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Speaker Martin Romualdez, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr., and National Economic Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan. 

In a separate interview, Speaker Romualdez said Marcos’ meeting with Li was a very positive engagement.

Romualdez said Li had encouraged both sides to have high-level exchanges as he believed that the ties should be deepened and strengthened through the legislative bodies.

"So, that’s why we will look forward to the invitations that have actually been extended in the previous years but due to COVID, it did not materialize," Romualdez said.

"But now that China is opening up this year, we look forward to seeing these some engagements and these exchanges between the Congress of China and the Congress and Senate of the Philippines come to fruition in the year 2023," he added. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News