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CHINO’s ambassador to Manila Huang Xilian said that all Chinese projects in the Philippines will continue to support the Duterte administration’s flagship Build, Build, Build program.
Huang issued the statement amid calls for President Rodrigo Duterte to cancel agreements with Chinese companies involved in the militarization and construction of artificial Chinese islands in the South China Sea (Western Philippines).
“All Chinese projects [in the Philippines] it will continue as planned, ”Huang said Tuesday in a transcript of a local radio interview, which was shared by the Chinese Embassy in Manila.
He made the comment in reaction to Duterte’s pronouncement that he would ensure completion of flagship projects under the Build, Build, Build program.
“Recently, the Department of State and the Department of Commerce of the United States imposed sanctions on some Chinese companies and citizens. China strongly opposes this, ”Huang said.
The ambassador said that “the participation of Chinese companies and individuals in national construction activities is legitimate, lawful and irreproachable, it is entirely within their sovereignty.”
“The move by the US side, under the pretext of protecting the South China Sea, seriously interferes in China’s internal affairs and aims to drive a wedge between China and countries in the region,” he added.
“We have taken note of the statement made by presidential spokesman Harry Roque [Jr.] that President Duterte charted an independent foreign policy course that puts the national interest at the center. And that the national interest of the Philippines is to ensure the completion of the flagship projects of the Build, Build, Build program, ”said Huang.
“We believe that the pursuit of an independent foreign policy is in line with the fundamental interests of the Philippines and its people,” he added.
The cooperation between China and the Philippines, he said, “has always been based on mutual respect, mutual benefit and win-win results, and all projects are carried out in accordance with existing laws and regulations.”
“The deep synergy of the China Belt and Road Initiative and the Build, Build, Build program has achieved fruitful results and is bringing more and more benefits to the people of our two countries,” said the envoy. “Chinese companies have made important contributions in this effort. I believe that any attempt to undermine the normal economic cooperation between China and the Philippines will never be successful. “
