China and Philippines’ friendship is “the only right choice” – Xi Jinping
Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that the friendship between China and Philippines is the only right choice for the two countries.
Xi visits the country on November 20 until November 21 and this is the first for Chinese President in 13 years.
“Given the profound and complex changes in the world, good-neighborliness and friendship is the only right choice for China and the Philippines,” he said.
The President from China also said that his country is ready to work with the Philippines for “greater progress in relations”.
Xi Jinping also stressed out that in President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration the door of friendship between China and Philippines was reopened.
The Chinese President’s visit in the country ignites hope that he will seal the promised deals for investment in major infrastructure projects when Duterte visited China last 2016.
This is a good thing for the country when this is realized. On the other hand, Duterte still receives criticism for his leniency when it comes to the issue in South China Sea dispute.
Based on the report, a recent Social Weather Stations survey stated that 84 percent of Filipinos see the need for this administration to stand up against China’s militarization of its man-made islands while 86 percent said that Philippines should strengthen the military force, particularly the navy.
Meanwhile, a poll conducted last September stated that there are more Filipinos who are trusting the ties between Philippines and United States of America, rather than in China.
“They are not aware of the real geopolitics in the region. The president is a very cautious diplomat. Rather than provoke, he’d rather talk with them and get some trade relations that will benefit this country,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Duterte’s way of dealing with SCS dispute.
