(Eagle News)–The Philippines is “ready to pursue more projects” with China under the Belt and Road Initiative, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Thursday, April 25.
Duterte made the remark as he congratulated Chinese Premier Li Keqiang for the “successful” hosting of the forum in Beijing, its second so far.
“The Philippines’ continued participation in this forum is an acknowledgment of the vision of a global connectivity for shared prosperity,” Duterte said.
Duterte’s attendance in the forum from April 25 to 27 comes after he called out China for the presence of its vessels near Pag-Asa Island.
The Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest against China in connection with this.
The Palace has also said it would file another protest against China if the media reports on the presence of Chinese vessels near Kota Island were also confirmed.
The Philippines has also signed several deals with China, which included the Chico irrigation river deal criticized by some as being in favor of the Asian giant.
But the Palace has said the provisions in the contract were “standard” and that the deal was in the best interest of the Philippines.
