China and the Philippines signed an agreement on Thursday to identify priority investments and the rehabilitation of drug abusers. The Philippines' Presidential Spokesperson, Salvador S. Panelo, said that the Palace wishes to announce that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping witnessed the signing of agreements this morning, April 25, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
The signing of the agreement took place during the attendance of the Philippine president to the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing from April 25 to 27 upon the invitation of President Xi.
According to Mr. Panelo, on the agreement, first is the Exchange of Letters on Production Capacity and Investment Cooperation between the Philippines and China. He added that the document proposes a project list which will serve as the focus of cooperation between the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and (China's) National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). He also mentioned that Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia of NEDA and Chairman He Lifeng of NDRC signed the document on behalf of their respective countries.
He also said that the second part of the agreement is the Handover Certificate Grant-Aid for the Dangerous Drugs Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers Project between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the People's Republic of China which is a ceremonial handover of the drug treatment facilities in Sarangani and Agusan del Norte provided by China through grant. Ambassador Jose Santiago L. Sta. Romana signed the document on our country's behalf while Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan signed for China.
President Duterte said on his opening statement during his bilateral meeting with Mr. Xi that the Belt and Road Forum provides another opportunity to renew and reaffirm our valued relations based on mutual trust, respect, and friendship and must continue to grow strength and meaning in the coming years.
He also mentioned the need for China and the Philippines to continue to work together to explore new areas of cooperation and partnership. The president said that he is looking forward to a productive discussion on matters of mutual interest and concern.
He added that he wants to hear President Xi's thoughts on progress achieved in further strengthening bilateral relations and recent developments in our region. President Duterte commemorated the visit of the Chinese president in Manila as a watershed moment in the Philippine-China ties.
He said that the decision to elevate bilateral ties to comprehensive, strategic cooperation affirms the Philippines and China's strong desire to further deepen and broaden this engagement.
