BEIJING – Despite the territorial and maritime dispute, the Philippines is working to improve relations with China by encouraging tourists and investors to come to Manila and improve trade between the two countries.
“Of course this is something that the embassy aspires for because one of our responsibilities is to promote Philippines as the preferred destination among our Chinese friends, and we are tirelessly trying our best to realize this aspiration in spite of the difficulties,” Ambassador Erlinda Basilio said in an interview with Radio TV Malacañang.
China is the Philippines’ fourth biggest source of foreign travelers, Basilio said.
According to Basilio, the Philippine embassy in Beijing and the six consulates, especially the country’s tourism attaché from the Department of Tourism, is trying to keep the Philippines in the consciousness of the Chinese tourists through familiarization trips, promotion in various media such as social media and visual reminders through a wide array of advertisements.
“We even advertise on buses. We go around Beijing and other parts of China. We bring the Chinese people to the embassy,” Basilio said.
The embassy also promotes the Philippines through film showings, and recently Filipino film producers participated in the first Silk Road International Film Festival in Xi’an, Shaanxi province.
Basilio expressed belief the relations between the Philippines and China are still guided by the understanding between President Aquino and then Chinese President Hu Jintao when they said the West Philippine Sea dispute should not affect the broader picture of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
This understanding between Aquino and Hu in 2011 “inspires and motivates the Philippines to remain steadfast in its mutual aim to pursue a healthy partnership with China.”
The misunderstanding on certain issues will and should not affect the other facets of the two countries’ relations, such as economic, cultural and people-to-people, according to Basilio.
On the travel advisory on the Philippines issued by China in September, Basilio said every country’s measures to protect its citizens against any perceived threats to its nationals must be respected.
“However, we maintain that the Philippines is a safe and fun destination. And its people is known to be hospitable and warm hosts, friendly and welcoming to all,” she said.
The Philippine government also focuses on ensuring the safety of its visitors, and takes their concerns seriously and actively brings perpetrators of crime to justice, she said.
The Philippines unequivocally condemns any act of violence against Filipinos or other nationals, she added.
Although Basilio acknowledged there are isolated incidents involving foreigners in the Philippines, she said these also occur in major cities and countries all over the world.
China warned its citizens in September not to travel to the Philippines after a Chinese teenager who worked in a family-run store was kidnapped in Zamboanga Sibugay.
The Chinese embassy also said it was worried because of plots confirmed by the Philippine National Police that criminal groups planned to attack its facilities, Chinese companies and public venues such as malls.
Aquino is due to arrive here tomorrow to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
After meeting fellow APEC leaders, Aquino will proceed to Myanmar on Nov. 11 to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit.
The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said no fireworks are expected as the focus would be on economic concerns.
Basilio said China would continue to be the Philippines’ major market and trading partner in the coming years.
“Both countries have long term complementary trade and investment interests to serve. With these, we are very positive of the growth potential of our economic bilateral and trade relations in the years ahead,” she added.
Basilio said the Philippines was prepared to work with China in nurturing its priority industries, particularly in testing and certification, medical services, innovation and technology, cultural and creative industry, environmental industries and education services.
The Philippines will also seize opportunities offered by the tariff-free regime resulting from the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement.
“The free trade agreement is a useful instrument to facilitate networking with government agencies, private and state owned enterprises and business people of the Philippines and China,” she said.
The Philippines has also achieved economic gains in recent years, allowing it to make significant improvements in its infrastructure, she said.
Basilio added the government continued to recognize the role of infrastructure development towards attaining inclusive growth and poverty reduction.
The government’s priority agenda is developing efficient, reliable, cost effective, and sustainable infrastructure such as in transportation, water, power, waste management, toll ways, railways, and telecommunication facilities, she said.