Chinese province inks friendship deal with Palawan

NINGXIA – A maritime dispute has not stopped the Philippines and China from exploring other areas of cooperation.

The government of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in China lauded the signing this week of a landmark “friendship agreement” with Palawan province, the first of its kind after the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruled that the disputed West Philippine Sea belonged to Manila not to Beijing.

In a signing ceremony at the provincial capitol here on Tuesday night, Ningxia vice governor Wang Heshan said the agreement would continue to improve relations between China and the Philippines.

Palawan Gov. Jose Alvarez and Wang signed the agreement.

According to the agreement, “the two sides will carry out, in accordance with the principles of equality and mutual benefit, exchanges and cooperation between Palawan and Ningxia in various forms in the field of economy, trade, science and technology, culture, education, sports, health, personnel, etc. to promote common prosperity and development.”

Wang expressed hope that the relationship between the Philippines and China, which is roughly 600 years, would continue “for another 600 years.”

He also cited the pronouncements of President Duterte that he wanted to keep friendly ties with China and was open to direct talks over the maritime dispute.

For former foreign affairs secretary Delia Albert, the signing of the agreement is a good opportunity for both the Philippines and China to “get things on track.”

“The timing was very good to keep the momentum in terms of the relationship between China and the Philippines. We kept doors open and local governments are continuing the conversation. For both sides, it was a good opportunity to get things on track,” Albert told The STAR after the signing ceremony.

The Philippine delegation was also well received by the Ningxia government, Albert said.

“He (Vice Governor Wang) was very warm. He was very pleased that we were here. He was prepared to visit Palawan but what was positive for me was that he made reference to the positive remarks of President Duterte. For me, that was a positive sign,” Albert said.

The signing of the agreement is in accordance with the principles of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Philippines.

Ningxia is one of five autonomous regions in China and has an estimated six million ethnic Chinese Muslims-Hui.