HOSTAGE REVIEW: CHINA DEFERS COMMENTS
MANILA, OCTOBER 12, 2010 (STAR) By Pia Lee-Brago - China's top diplomat in the Philippines yesterday declined to comment on the review and recommendations adopted by Malacañang on the report of the incident investigation and review committee (IIRC), saying he has yet to see the official document.
Speaking at the joint Makati Business Club-Management Association of the Philippines (MBC-MAP) general membership meeting held at the Inter-Continental Hotel in Makati, Ambassador Liu Jianchao said they have received mixed signals but would not comment until he sees the document.
The Chinese side has expressed appreciation that the Philippine leadership and government have shown determination in conducting a comprehensive, thorough and fair investigation on the hostage-taking incident.
Liu said the past month not only showed prosperity of bilateral ties with the increase in bilateral trade volume but also witnessed maturity in the friendship between the two countries.
He said the government needs to take measures to convince tourists from China, including Hong Kong, that the country is safe for tourists, adding more than 220,000 tourists from the Chinese mainland visited the Philippines last year, registering a nearly 40 percent growth over the year 2008.
But with over 50 million tourists from the Chinese mainland traveling abroad last year, Liu said there is a potential for more Chinese tourists to come.
"I believe that the Philippine government will take measures to convince the tourists from China, including Hong Kong, that this is a safe country to travel to, and when they are here, they will be well protected," he said.
In order for Hong Kong authorities to lift the ban on travel to the country, Liu said "they have to convince that sufficient measures have been taken to ensure the safety and security of tourists from Hong Kong and other parts of China."
"It is really up to the Philippine government to decide what measures they are going to take to convince them. I'm sure they know what will help lift the ban," he said.
Hong Kong issued a travel ban to the Philippines after the Aug. 23 hostage-taking of Hong Kong tourists by a dismissed police office in Manila.
The black alert level that the Security Bureau of Hong Kong SAR gave the Philippines indicates severe threat to the security of traveling nationals.
The black alert level means that all travel to the Philippines should be strongly avoided.
China eyes business opportunity with Manila
The ambassador also said that the Chinese embassy in Manila has been in close contact with the economic team in the Aquino Cabinet to explore future cooperation opportunities.
"We have much to do together to exploit our economic complementarities. We are of the view that the business communities of our two countries shall cooperate strongly and effectively in the following areas," he said.
Liu added that infrastructure is the area in which China excels and the Philippines needs.
He said expressway mileage in China reached 65,000 kilometers by the end of 2009, and the operating railway mileage reached 86,000 kilometers, respectively ranking first and second in the world.
By 2012, 13,000 kilometers of high-speed railway will be in operation, which means travel between any two of the 42 major cities in the vast stretch of land of China would take no more than eight hours.
A week ago, the speed of the test run of such a train from Hangzhou to Shanghai reached 416 km/h, breaking China's and the world record.
"We are willing to share our experience in constructing modern infrastructure with the Philippines and strengthen cooperation in the field of infrastructure, contributing to the economic development and investment environment in this country," he added.
Chinese companies, he said, are willing to cooperate not only in mining, but also in minerals processing, which can provide employment opportunities for the people and add tax revenues to the government.
"The Philippines is home to massive reserve of minerals. But gold is of no value if it lies in the earth. Brilliant policy makers and businessmen shall make use of this opportunity to turn natural resources into national wealth," he said.
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