April 12, 2018

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was full of praise for China at the just-concluded Boao Forum for Asia (BFA). The president declared he "needs" Beijing even before departing for the forum. "I need China more than anybody else at this time of our national life," Duterte said as quoted by the Philippines-based news outlet Rappler. Beijing and Manila inked six bilateral agreements on the sidelines of the BFA.

Since Duterte came to office, the rapid improvements in the Sino-Philippine relationship are seen by the world. China has kept the position of the Philippines' No.1 trading partner for the second year and has overtaken the US to become the country's second largest tourist source. Duterte also reiterated his gratitude to Beijing for its assistance in the rehabilitation of Marawi City and the fight against terrorism and drugs. In the meantime, Manila, with its advantageous geopolitical position, plays a pivotal role in the Beijing-proposed Belt and Road initiative. Sino-Philippine cooperation is mutually beneficial and thus is welcomed by people from both countries.

However, some Western media outlets deliberately turn a blind eye to the Beijing-Manila friendship, and are sparing no effort in hyping the two nations' territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Read more:

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1097716.shtml