MANILA, Philippines – China might convince Filipinos of its sincerity as an ally of the Philippines if it undertakes “trophy” infrastructure projects in the country, a lawmaker has suggested.
“If I were the Chinese, I would start building big infrastructure projects, as these can be the monuments of friendship to win Filipino hearts,” House Deputy Speaker Rolando Andaya Jr. said over the weekend, calling these “trophy projects” by way of a “charm offensive.”
Andaya said it would also help if China would “allow Filipino fishermen to reclaim their traditional fishing grounds and then halt the reclamation of Philippine-owned atolls and reefs in the West Philippine Sea.”
“The Japanese did it for decades after the war, by financing the construction of thousands of kilometers of road,” the Camarines Sur lawmaker said, noting such tangible results would serve as proof of their sincerity and overturn cynical perceptions that China is a bully.
Andaya said Beijing must see the country’s huge infrastructure needs as “the perfect opening to do good.”
“They can build the Mindanao railway, for example, on a part-grant, part-loan scheme, with a long grace repayment period, and at a price that is the lowest, for a quality that is the highest in the world,” he said.