China commits to support government projects

CEBU, Philippines —  The Chinese government is committed to support the government’s “Build, Build, Build” program with Cebu as one of its beneficiaries.

Governor Gong Zheng of the People’s Provincial Government of Shandong, China, who leads the delegation of more than 200 Chinese traders in their visit to Cebu last Tuesday, said that Shandong is an “economic powerhouse” of China and is vigorously undertaking strategic junctions of development and establishing cooperation among other countries, especially the Philippines.

He said his group is determined to bring about “40 companies that will carry out match-making to promote cooperation between Shandong and Cebu.”

The delegation, who attended the seminar organized by the People’s Provincial Government of Shandong, wants to explore investment potentials in Cebu.

Consul General Jia Li of the People’s Republic of China in Cebu, in his message during the event praised Cebu’s cultural, industrial, trade, and tourism positions, said the province’s GDP and its fast economic contribution rate “is among the best in the country (Philippines).”

Jia said that records from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that “trade between two countries amounts to about $30 billion in 2018 and has increased by 18.1 percent year on year.”

He said China is largest trading partner of the Philippines.

Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino, who also attended the event, has thanked the provincial government of Shandong for choosing Cebu as its potential trading partner.

Dino said that the administration is looking to complement the growth with infrastructure projects, citing Cebu’ vital role in our national economy.

“The ‘Build, Build, Build’ program of the government will benefit the Visayas by the end of 2022. The administration’s major infrastructure plans for the region are already in the pipeline,” Dino said, in a press statement.

He cited the national government’s plan to build eight major bridges connecting the islands of Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Negros, Guimaras, and Panay.

Dino added that the Visayas will be the Island of Bridges and these bridges will play a huge role in facilitating trade activities and business partnerships.

He also told the delegates from China about the advocacy of his office to push for the Metro Cebu Integrated Intermodal Transport System (MC-IITS) which will help address the mass transportation woes.

The MC-IITS is a mix of various transport systems, the backbone of which will be the Cebu Light Rail Transit, supplemented by the High Priority Bus System, a Monorail System, and rounded off by a common station.

“The president’s vision for this region and for the Philippines as a whole, which is embodied in this administration’s programs, is to achieve real and tangible development. I trust that this partnership will be contributing significantly to our programs and endeavors,” Dino said. — GAN (FREEMAN)