Chinese ambassador hails Duterte decision to proceed with Sangley airport project

September 2, 2020

China's Ambassador to the Philipines on Tuesday welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to continue with the Cavite airport project  involving a Chinese firm that was blacklisted by the US for helping build artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea.

Ambassador Huang Xilian hailed Duterte's pursuit of an independent foreign policy "is in line with the fundamental interests of the Philippines and its people."

"I believe that any attempt to undermine the normal economic cooperation between China and the Philippines will never succeed," Huang said in a statement.

Washington said at least 24 state-owned Chinese companies, including subsidiaries of the China Communications Construction Co. (CCCC) helped Chinese military “construct and militarize the internationally condemned artificial islands in the South China Sea."

CCCC and Lucio Tan's MacroAsia Corp. got the first phase of the Sangley Point International Airport (SPIA) project.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. earlier said he would recommend the termination of contracts with the Chinese companies on the US blacklist.

But Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced that the Sangley airport project would continue.

Huang said the participation of Chinese companies and individuals in Philippine construction activities is "legitimate, lawful and beyond reproach."

Huang said the US sanctions "grossly interferes in China’s internal affairs" and  "aims to drive a wedge between China and regional countries."

"The pragmatic cooperation between China and the Philippines has always been based on mutual respect, mutual benefit and win-win results, and all projects are all conducted in compliance with the existing laws and regulations," Huang said.

China’s Belt and Road initiative and the Build, Build, Build program of the Philippine government, he added, "has achieved fruitful results and is bringing more and more benefits to the people of our two countries."

"Chinese companies have made important contributions in this endeavor," he said. DMS