Gurus gather for China-Philippines Dialogue Unveiling the Prospects for the Basis of Bilateral Cooperation

OCT 26, 2017 Manila: China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable held a panel discussion themed “China-Philippines Dialogue 2017” from 09:30 to 14:00 on October 26, 2017 at the Asian Institute of Management. Keynote speakers and expert panelists shared their insights on the topic and interacted with more than 200 delegates including leaders from government officials, business industry, and academia.

Building on last year’s success, the 2nd edition of dialogue aims to strengthen communications and trust, deepen understanding of cooperation opportunities between China and the Philippines in broad range of areas, which include tourism, human resource development and promoting personnel exchanges, energy cooperation, trade facilitation and many more opportunities. Opening ahead of this year’s ASEAN-China Leaders Meeting, the Dialogue will also be a chance for participants to discuss the prospects of China-ASEAN cooperation.

Mr. Zhou Li, Editorial board member of China Daily Group and publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily Asia Pacific, believes the dialogue will help realize President Xi Jinping’s vision of achieving a mutually beneficial collaboration between neighbors, leading to the development of the world community with a shared future for mankind.

China Daily is delighted to have nine distinguished speakers. His Excellency Mr. Ethan Yi SUN, counselor of Chinese Embassy in the Republic of the Philippines; Dir. ANN Claire CREDO-CABOCHAN, Director of Bureau of International Trade Relations, Department of Trade and Industry; Atty. Ana Maria Paz R. BANAAG, Assistant Secretary for Operations and Special Concerns, Presidential Communication Operations Office, Republic of the Philippines; and Sec. Robert De Ocampo, Chairman of Phil Veterans Bank were the keynote speakers on the topic “A New Chapter in China-Philippines Ties and the Prospects of China-ASEAN Cooperation”.

His Excellency Mr. Ethan Yi SUN mentioned that in just short stance if the past one year, the Chinese-Philippine cooperation in various fields has reaped rich fruits. China is now the largest trading partner, largest import market, and forth largest export destination of the Philippines. From January to July, their bilateral trade volume hit $28 billion, up 7.6 percent year-on-year. Looking ahead, China will continue to stand to be a closer partner in the Philippines’ strives to be a stable, strong and prosperous nation. Premier Li Keqiang will soon pay an official visit to the Philippines during the ASEAN Summit in November. Sun said it would be the first visit of its kind by a Chinese premier in 10 years.

Dir. ANN Claire CREDO-CABOCHAN mentioned that we are all aware that China’s Belt and Road initiative presents opportunities for the Philippines and ASEAN in a wide range of areas that are strategic both in the long and short term. Aside from the possibility of enhanced trade in previously untapped developing market, the initiative also presents business opportunities through private sector participation with potential overseas contract worker employment.

Atty. Ana Maria Paz R. BANAAG mentioned that Philippine-China relations have never been as warm. As President Duterte had said, the government upholds a truly independent policy. The president’s deeper engagement and constructive approach towards China has already started to see good results.

Sec. Robert De Ocampo mentioned that the Philippines welcomes the assistance China has given. I would say there’s more to this than the Philippine-Chinese relationship because the world itself is changing. The Philippines welcomes the assistance China has given. I would say there’s more to this than the Philippine-Chinese relationship because the world itself is changing.

In the panel discussion, Mr. Nicholas HO, Deputy Managing Director of Ho & Partners Architects Engineers & Development Consultants Ltd; Mr. Ma Jianhua, Director of CHEC South Pacific Regional Division; Prof. Federico M. MACARANAS, Chair of the Department of Economics, Asian Institute of Management; Mr. Angel NGU, Honorary President of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry Inc.; and Mr. Jose Luis U. YULO, JR., President of the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Islands, shared and exchanged ideas on Sino-Philippines relations. The panel was chaired by Mr. Wilson Lee FLORES, a multi-awards writer and analyst on Sino-Philippine relations, Republic of the Philippines.

Mr. Ma Jianhua said that in the Philippines, CHEC has completed more than 15 projects, including harbor, road, and bridges. As far as we know, CHEC has the ability and experience in the implementation. Hence, we can assist the clients in seizing the great opportunities.

Prof. Federico M. MACARANAS said that Philippine-China economic cooperation is going to thrive, because our strength will be the Filipino-Chinese communities that are cooperating all over the world today. We’ll also have a fresh look of our relations under President Duterte of a more open policy.

Mr. Angel NGU said that tourism is an area where there’s room for growth in our relations with China. With our warmer ties, we look forward to welcoming more Chinese tourists to experience our beaches, mountains and culture.

In the session of “Dialogue with China Daily”, Mr. Jerome MA, Vice President of JD.COM and Mr. Dennis Ng, Founder of Mober shared their views in the field of E-Commerce.

Mr. Jerome MA said that at the end of the day, e-commerce is supported by technology. Advanced technology like AI (Artificial Intelligent), big data, facial recognition, and this kind of technology has to be developed. Anyone who wants to enter China, there is a logistic problem. Cooperate with long and medium reach logistic companies, but don’t forget to cooperate with the last mile delivery systems.

In a joint statement issued after the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila in August, 2017, the ministers expressed their willingness to conduct higher level dialogues and exchanges with China in future, and continue to enhance the level of economic integration. President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines – a founding member of ASEAN -- visited China in October last year, putting the good neighborly and friendly relations between the two countries back on track. The China-led Belt and Road Initiative is expected to further strengthen trade ties between China and the Philippines.


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