China, PH pledge more efforts to further boost BRI ties

FILE: CPC OFFICIAL VISIT. President Rodrigo Duterte meets with Chen Min’er (2nd L), a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, in Manila on Sept. 16, 2019. Chen is on a five-day visit in the Philippines upon invitation of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) party. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali via PNA)

MANILA — China and the Philippines have expressed their willingness to enhance cooperation through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for a better bilateral relationship between the two countries.

During the meeting with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, Chen Min’er, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, said China is willing to increase the exchanges between the two parties and promote mutual trust with the Philippines.

“China hopes to cooperate closely with the Philippines to build the high-quality BRI, jointly maintaining multilateralism and promote regional development,” Chen said, adding that Chongqing Municipality is willing to share the opportunities with the Philippine local governments to make new contributions by boosting exchanges and mutual learning from each other.

Meanwhile, Duterte, also the chairman of the Philippines’ ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) party, thanked China for its help to the Philippines’ development and said the blooming bilateral relations have brought more opportunities to the Philippines.

“The Philippines is ready to join hands with China to deepen the synergy between the BRI and the Philippines’ ‘Build, Build, Build’ program,” Duterte said.

The Philippines is willing to work together with Chongqing Municipality to strengthen exchange and cooperation, he added.

Invited by the Philippine PDP-Laban party, Chen made a five-day visit to the Philippines.

During his visit, he also met with House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, PDP-Laban party Senator Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel III, and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

Chen also attended the Philippines-China (Chongqing) Trade and Investment Forum in Manila with Philippine Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez. (Xinhua)