Ministry of Commerce: China and the Philippines Will Build Industrial Parks In the Philippines To Promote Bilateral Economic and Trade Relations

On March 11th, 2017, Zhong Shan,  Minister of Commerce answered questions from Chinese and foreign journalists in terms of "reform and opening up the structure and innovate to promote development"  in the news center  of The Fifth Session of the 12th National People's Congress.

Zhong Shan, the new Minister of Commerce had led a delegation to visit the Philippines, restarting the China-Philippines Economic and Trade Commission, which had been suspended for six years. Zhong Shan once again talked about the trip to the Philippines at the press conference held in the Fifth Session of the 12th National People's Congress on March 11th. He said China and the Philippines will build industrial park in the Philippines.

Zhong Shan said that this is his first visit as Minister of Commerce. The main task and purpose of this visit is to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, promote the development of bilateral economic and trade relations, and consolidate the good momentum of development of Sino-Philippine relations.

"In October last year, President Duterte paid successful visit to China, the two heads reached a broad consensus on the comprehensive development of Sino-Philippine relations, and the bilateral relations came back to the correct development of the track. In the past six months, the Bilateral relations, especially bilateral economic and trade relations developed rapidly. The rapid growth of bilateral trade between the two countries and the high enthusiasm of mutual investment have fully demonstrated that the political decisions made by the two heads are correct and supported by the two peoples. my visit this time is very short with the fast rhythm, which is honest, pragmatic and fruitful. " Said Zhong Shan.

Zhong Shan said he not only met with the Philippine President Duterte, but also held the 28th meeting of bilateral economic and trade joint committee with the Philippine Minister of Trade and Industry. This is one of the most important economic and trade cooperation mechanisms between China and the Philippines, which had been interrupted for six years. "I also met with the Philippine Finance Minister and other five ministers, carried out friendly, pragmatic and frank exchanges, and reached a lot of Consensus on further strengthening China's economic and trade cooperation with the Philippines, which mainly reflected in the trade, investment, park construction, major infrastructure construction and multilateral and regional cooperation”. Said Zhong Shan.

Zhong Shan stressed that due to various reasons, the growth of trade is relatively slow in the past few years, but in recent months it begins to grow rapidly and the momentum is very strong, especially the agricultural products in the Philippines. The fruit and aquatic products of the exports to China increased dramatically that the bananas grew more than doubled.

Zhong Shan stressed that they agreed to build an industrial park in the Philippines. With the population of one hundred million, Philippines is accelerating industrialization. Therefore, the modernization and industrialization of the Philippines must be promoted through building the industrial park in the Philippines.

(From Phoenix Net)