'China firms to bid for RP projects'

MANILA, Philippines - China said it would make sure that all its companies doing business with the Philippine government – including those seeking involvement in Chinese-funded projects – would take part in public bidding in the interest of transparency.

“We have to work on the projects. We can still have Chinese companies involved. (For) China loans, what we can do is have agreement with the Philippine (government) that we reach consensus on the implementation of the financing arrangement so that the right companies will be picked in a transparent, open way. That is to be done through public bidding among the companies,” Ambassador Liu Jianchao said.

China and the Philippines have marked the 35th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

Liu also disputed allegations by some quarters that China has questionable motives in its offers of financial assistance to the Philippines.

He stressed that China-funded projects are designed to promote the mutual interests of the Philippines and China.

Liu said China would continue to provide concessional loans to the Philippines. He said other developing countries have received billions in assistance, loan and investments from China.

US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. earlier said China should make transparent its motive for strengthening its presence in the Philippines.

Liu said past misunderstandings between China and the Philippines over some projects should be considered a learning experience for the two countries.

Liu also said that although official relations between China and the Philippines began only 35 years ago, his countrymen have been in contact for centuries with the inhabitants of what later came to be known as the Philippines.

“China is excited with the historical opportunity and hopes to further cooperate with the incoming administration of president-elect Benigno Aquino III,” Liu said. Liu had already met with Aquino.

He said he is heartened by Aquino’s vision and determination to strengthen business, trade and academic relations with China.

He said the Philippines has been a recipient of at least $1.8 billion in concessional loans for big ticket projects including the NorthRail Project and the $6-million Philippine-China Center for Agriculture Technology.

In education and cultural relations, Confucius Institutes have been established in the top three universities in the country, while another one is being planned for the University of the Philippines.

He said China is determined to help the Philippines achieve economic growth.

The ambassador also disclosed that his visits to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport and the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga last Friday have convinced him even more of the viability of the freeport zone as a destination for Chinese investors.

For his part, Donald Dee, a special trade representative of President Arroyo, urged local businessmen not to be afraid of China’s surge as an economic power.

“We should not fear,” he said, adding that China’s emergence must serve as a “challenge to ourselves.”

Dee noted that China’s 1.3 billion population must be seen as a “huge market” for Philippine products and services. - With Dino Balabo