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China envoy hopes 'improved ties' with PH continue after Duterte

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian is joined by Senator Imee Marcos and Cynthia Villar in opening a photo exhibit in Binondo showcasing Philippine-China relations. Jekki Pascual, ABS-CBN News " src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/overseas/04/20/20220420-china1.jpg"/><figcaption>Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian is joined by Senator Imee Marcos and Cynthia Villar in opening a photo exhibit in Binondo showcasing Philippine-China relations. <em>Jekki Pascual, ABS-CBN News </em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA - Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian hailed the improved relations between the Philippines and China in the past 6 years and said he hopes this will be sustained after President Rodrigo Duterte steps down.</p><p>In a photo exhibit attended by Senators Imee Marcos and Cynthia Villar, Huang thanked Pres. Duterte for promoting closer ties between the two countries.</p><p>Public Works Secretary Roger Mercado and other government officials also graced the event held in Binondo.</p><p>Huang said the event, which was organized by the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc, will show the projects of China in the Philippines and showcase the relations between the two nations over the past 6 years.</p><p>&quot;The landmark China-gifted Binondo-Intramuros Bridge, benefiting tens of thousands of people every day, has already become a tourist attraction. During the past 6 years, our trade has doubled and the total Chinese investments in this country have quadrupled in the past 6 years, compared with the previous 6 years,&quot; the Chinese envoy said. </p><p>The Chinese ambassador also paid his respects to the late Philippine Ambassador to China Chito Sta. Romana who <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/19/22/chito-sta-romana-philippine-envoy-to-china-passes-away" target="_blank">passed away</a> this week.  </p><p>&quot;We shall not forget our common friend His Excellency Chito Sta Romana... who has made [a] great contribution to our relations and to our cooperation.&quot;</p><p>The ambassador also mentioned the controversial issue on the West Philippine Sea saying that the two nations have handled their differences in a proper manner. </p><p>&quot;We have been committed to managing differences through bilateral communication and dialogue. We have handled a series of maritime-related incidents prudently and conducted consultations on the joint oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea.&quot;</p><p>In 2016, Duterte said Chinese President Xi Jinping promised investments and loan pledges to the Philippines worth $24 billion. </p><p>Last year however, Bloomberg reported that China had yet to deliver on these billions despite Duterte&#x27;s pursuit of closer relations. Most big-ticket projects funded by China had yet to break ground or get approval either, Bloomberg reported.</p><p>In a report released last year, the National Economic and Development Authority also noted that of the total official development assistance as of 2020, Japan remained the top provider of ODA with $11.18 billion or 36.44 percent worth of loans and grants. </p><p>In second place was the Japan-led Asian Development Bank with $8.7 billion or 28.52 percent, and in third place the World Bank with $6.44 billion or 20.97 percent.</p><p>The Chinese-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank was a far fourth with ODA amounting to $957.6 or 3.12 percent of the total. </p><p>Critics of Duterte have said that the Philippines has received <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/14/21/duterte-administration-china-deals-china-policy" target="_blank">little</a> in terms of promised aid despite the President&#x27;s pursuit of closer ties with the Asian giant.  </p><div><strong>- With a report from Jekki Pascual, ABS-CBN News</strong></div><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/11/21/rodrigo-duterte-jetski-comments-2016-2021-scarborough-shoal-china-video">THEN VS NOW: What Duterte said about riding jet ski to Scarborough Shoal</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/halalan2016/nation/04/24/16/carlo-pinoy-fisherman-deals-with-chinese-aggression">Carlo, Pinoy fisherman, deals with Chinese aggression</a></li></ul><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1683375" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

In a photo exhibit attended by Senators Imee Marcos and Cynthia Villar, Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian thanked Pres. Rodrigo Duterte for improving the relations between the two countries.