PH, China sign coast guard cooperation pact, 12 other deals

Pia Ranada

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

PH, China sign coast guard cooperation pact, 12 other deals

Toto Lozano

(UPDATED) Presidents Duterte and Xi witness the signing of 13 documents on cooperation in a variety of areas, from agriculture to law enforcement

BEIJING, China (2nd UPDATE) – The Philippines and China signed 13 documents on cooperation in areas ranging from maritime security to agriculture.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping witnessed the signing of the documents after an expanded bilateral meeting on Thursday, October 20. Cabinet secretaries and ministers signed the documents.

The documents were signed in the middle of Duterte’s 4-day state visit to China.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that stood out was on the “establishment of a joint coast guard committee on maritime cooperation.”

The Philippines and China are engaged in a maritime dispute over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). It is not yet clear if the cooperation of the country’s coast guards involve joint patrols in the disputed sea.

Media is yet to get a copy of all the documents.

The complete list of documents signed is below:

  1. Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the People’s Republic of China
  2. Memorandum of Understanding between the National Economic and Development Authority of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Development and Reform Commission of the People’s Republic of China for Developing Cooperation on Production Capacity and Investment
  3. Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Works and Highways of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Development and Reform Commission of the People’s Republic of China on Transportation Infrastructure Cooperation Project List
  4. Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Trade and Industry of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Commerce of the Government of the People’s Republic of China on Strengthening Bilateral Trade, Investment and Economic Cooperation
  5. Memorandum of Understanding between the National Economic and Development Authority of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China on Formulation of the Development Program for Economic Cooperation
  6. Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Finance of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China on Supporting the Conduct of Feasibility Studies for Major Projects
  7. Action Plan on Agricultural Cooperation between the Department of Agriculture of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China 2017-2019
  8. Memorandum of Agreement between the State Council Information Office of the People’s Republic of China and the Presidential Communications Operations Office of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines on News and Information Exchange, Training and for other Purposes
  9. Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Agriculture of the Republic of the Philippines and the General Administration of Quality Supervision Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China on Cooperation of Animal and Plant Inspection and Quarantine
  10. Memorandum of Understanding between the Philippine Coast Guard and the China Coast Guard on the Establishment of a Joint Coast Guard Committee on Maritime Cooperation
  11. Implementation Program of the Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism Cooperation between the Department of Tourism of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Tourism Administration of the People’s Republic of China 2017-2022
  12. Protocol on Cooperation between the Philippines Drug Enforcement Agency and the Narcotics Control Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China; and
  13. Memorandum of Understanding on Financing Cooperation between the Export-Import Bank of China and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, represented by the Department of Finance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the signing, Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhien Min gave a statement to media saying Duterte’s state visit was “highly successful” and “signalled a full recovery of biletaral relations” between China and the Philippines.

Support for drug war, infra development

Xi and Duterte, in their bilateral talks, agreed to “fully recover,” among others, “diplomatic consultation” and “defense security consultation,” said Liu.

Because of the renewed ties, various bilateral working mechanisms like the “joint committee on commerce and trade, on agriculture, on science and technology” will be revived.

China also welcomed increased Philippine participation in its Belt and Road Initiative, a “trade and infrastructure network” seen as the center of China’s “economic diplomacy.”

“China welcomes and supports Philippines participation in the building of the Maritime Silk Road,” said Liu.

The Asian giant will “provide financing support” to the Philippines for infrastructure projects.

“China will also take an active part in the infrastructure development in the Philippines and provide financing support to the Philippines in this aspect,” said Liu.

China reiterated its support for “the Philippines’ efforts in drug trafficking” and said it would pursue cooperation in law enforcement with the Philippines. Rappler.com

 

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!
Sleeve, Clothing, Apparel

author

Pia Ranada

Pia Ranada is Rappler’s Community Lead, in charge of linking our journalism with communities for impact.