To enhance the Chinese bilateral relationship with the Philippines, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Davao City representative, Li Lin, emphasized five connectivities during the Philippine-China Relations forum on July 9.

Li Lin introduced the connectivity of policy, infrastructure, trade, capital/finance, and people as a means of creating stronger ties between the two countries.

To elaborate, he mentioned the plan of establishing the first international trade port in China to improve the importation and exportation of Filipino and Chinese goods, as well as the project of developing cultural exchange programs.

The Consul General also stated that the foreign policy of China promotes an idea of ”a community of shared future for mankind.”

He expressed that PRC President Xi Jinping aims for China to have a connection with the rest of the world to promote development and healthy relationships with other countries.

One strategy that has been proposed by the Chinese government to fulfill this goal is the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) or the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st century Maritime Silk Road.

Li Lin explained that this focuses on regional connectivity and cooperation between Eurasian countries.

He likened this to the “Build, Build, Build” program of the Duterte Administration, which involves the construction of roads, bridges, and other infrastructures to connect Philippine regions.

According to him, joint projects for the Philippines particularly Davao was tackled during President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to China last November 2016.

Some of these include the Davao-Samal Bridge, Davao Express Way, Davao International Airport expansion, and the establishment of a Confucian institution in the Philippines.

As the PRC Consul General, Li Lin aspires to develop the tourist spots in the Philippines and attract the Chinese people to visit, especially in the southern parts of the country.

He also encourages Chinese companies, such as the Water Purification Company that majors in sewage treatment, to visit and address the country’s environmental problems.

The establishment of a Consulate-General in Davao is one of the consensuses made by Duterte and Xi Jinping 20 months after their meeting in China in October 2016.

The C-Tree Hotel, located along Acacia Street in Juna Subdivision will be the home of the Consul General.