Ties with Philippines to be more robust

China's opening-up will bring more investment and export revenues to the Philippines, further strengthening bilateral relations between the two neighbors, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said.

Huang was alluding to remarks by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, during last week's 20th CPC National Congress, that Beijing will "open its door ever wider" and deepen reforms.

"China's (further) opening-up to the outside world will open up new major opportunities for neighboring countries, especially the Philippines," Huang said at a forum held in Manila on Tuesday on the 20th CPC National Congress and its impact on China-Philippines relations. Huang said China's inclusive development will further promote bilateral cooperation and improve people's lives.

China is the Philippines' biggest trading partner, with trade balance last year hitting nearly $90 billion.

China will provide a huge market for the Philippines, Huang said, adding that the country's exports to China have been growing very rapidly in the past two years.

Lucio Blanco Pitlo III, research fellow at think tank Asia Pacific Pathways to Progress Foundation in Manila, said greater market access to China for Philippine agricultural exports will help reduce rural poverty.

Ronald Llamas, former presidential adviser on political affairs, emphasized China's pursuit of common prosperity and what the Philippines can learn from it.

Bobby Tuazon, director for policy studies at the Center for People Empowerment in Governance in Manila, said socialism in China is on the rise, and it provides lessons to the Philippines to achieve common prosperity.

prime@chinadailyapac.com