Beijing hopes Rody can visit China ‘as soon as possible’

MANILA, Philippines – China is looking forward to a visit by President Duterte as soon as possible.

The Chinese foreign ministry said that while there is no confirmed date yet for Duterte’s visit, Beijing is in close communication with Philippine officials regarding the matter.

“We have expressed our welcome to President Duterte’s visit on many occasions. We hope that he can make this trip as soon as possible,” China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said.

Geng added “high-level exchanges between the two countries are of great significance to enhancing mutual understanding, mutual trust and improving ties.”

Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua said Beijing and Manila are planning the visit and are doing the appropriate coordination.

“We’re planning and we’re coordinating. There are many details and arrangements that need to be discussed and finalized. It’s premature for me to talk about it,” Zhao said in an interview at China’s national day reception Tuesday night.

Since President Duterte’s assuming office in June, China and the Philippines have been engaging in friendly interactions that have yielded positive results.

“The clouds are fading away. The sun is rising over the horizon, and will shine beautifully on the new chapter of bilateral relations,” Zhao added.

The ambassador expressed belief the Philippines is warming up to China not because Manila has no intention of brandishing the July 12 ruling of an international tribunal invalidating Beijing’s massive claim in the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea.

“I don’t think that’s the intention of the FiIipino government. I think warming up relations with China has its own merits. The advantages that will promote not only friendship and cooperation between the two countries and will also contribute to the development of the Philippines,” he said.

Meanwhile, former president Fidel Ramos – tapped earlier by Duterte to be the country’s special envoy to China – said no reason was given for the cancellation of his trip to Beijing.

He said Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. informed him Tuesday noon of the cancellation of the trip after the official met the former president. Ramos said Yasay did not tell him the reason for the cancellation.

“That’s a decision. Hindi ko decision ‘yan. I’m just following orders,” Ramos said in an interview at China’s national day reception Tuesday night. Ramos’ aides said he would still go to Beijing “at the proper time.”

“I was just told. I don’t know anything,” Ramos said. “I was just told at noon time.”

News of Ramos’ aborted trip was posted on the website of the Philippine embassy in Beijing.

“The Philippine embassy in Beijing regrets to inform the Filipino community that the planned gathering tomorrow, 28 September 2016 with former president and special envoy to China Fidel V. Ramos at the embassy’s Sentro Rizal will not push through.  The trip to China of former president and special envoy Ramos has been cancelled,” the embassy said.

Zhao said he was not informed of the cancellation of Ramos’ trip.

“Even if president Ramos goes to China, goes to Beijing, the talks he’s going to have is going to be informal. That’s something that president Ramos told me personally,” Zhao said. “So if he can’t go now, at an appropriate time he’s always welcome to go to China for informal talks, or for gathering among friends.”

He said the former president has long been a good friend of China and that he has been a very influential figure with personal connections in China and its officials.

“He’s the right person to talk about how to enhance bilateral cooperation in an informal and official manner. I think what he did in Hong Kong has served that purpose,” he said.

The dispute over the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea has hurt relations between Beijing and Manila.

The maritime row came to a head in 2012 when Chinese forces prevented the Philippine Navy from arresting Chinese poachers at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal off Zambales. Chinese vessels have never left Panatag since then.

China’s further provocative activities in disputed waters, especially its massive land reclamation activities, prompted Manila to file a case against Beijing before an arbitral tribunal based in The Hague.

Beijing made clear it would never comply with the tribunal’s ruling affirming the Philippine position.

Zhao said China is open to discussion with President Duterte on his appeal to allow Filipino fishermen to return to Panatag.

“We would like to discuss this issue with the Philippines and that we can look at the possibilities on how we could handle it properly,” he said.

Cultural exchange

Meanwhile, a cultural exchange agreement signed recently between the Philippines and China will have its first project next month.

The National Ballet of China will perform the internationally acclaimed “Raise the Red Lantern” at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on Oct. 27 and 28.

The ballet, which has been performed in major cities all over the world to critical and popular acclaim, is an adaptation of the 1991 movie directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Gong Li. Zhang also directed the ballet.

Set in the 1920s China, the film is the story os a young woman who becomes the concubine of a wealthy man during the Warlord Era.

A contingent of over 100 dancers, musicians crew and staff will come to Manila for the performances.

The second part of the cultural exchange will take place in June 2017, with Ballet Philippines performing in Beijing.