Duterte touts financial help from China

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday expressed gratitude toward China for what he said was a financial windfall for the Philippines amid warmer ties between the two countries.

Duterte's remarks came a day after his meeting with Chinese Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan

"Let me publicly again thank President Xi Jinping and the Chinese people for loving us and giving us enough leeway to survive the rigors of economic life in this planet," he said at the 10th national congress of the Philippine Councilors' League in Pasay City.

Last year, Duterte visited China to meet with Xi in a move that marked the thawing of relations between the countries, who have been embroiled in a maritime dispute.

Duterte touted the gains brought about by the renewed relationship.

"So it amounted to 10 billion dollars. Right away they handed to the finance people, 100 million. And another 100 million dollars for Surigao. Kita mo paano magbigay ng aid? One billion dollars, hindi pesos," he said.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez clarified to GMA News Online that Zhong confirmed a new purchase agreement for agricultural products amounting to US$1 billion, business-to-business investment letters of intent worth US$10 billion, grants and technical assistance totaling 100 million yuan, and donation to earthquake-hit Surigao province worth US$1 million.

Duterte claimed that the Chinese government has doubled its trade with the Philippines.

"Ito saging, would you believe it and you can check it, doblado na lahat ang ating trade sa kanila. Pineapple doblado, mango doblado, sabi nila, 'Avocado bilhin namin. Ano pang gusto niyong bilhin namin kasi kailangan namin 'yan with five billion people. There’s a lot of people who would like to eat, kulang pa iyan,'" he said.

Duterte also said China will push ahead with its railway project in the country.

"And they will take care of itong railway from north to south and we will begin immediately. Kita mo yung sincerity talaga ng Chinese," he said.

Duterte said his decision to forge closer ties with China was right.

"Sa economic front, I think I made a correct decision. You know I went up along sa foreign policy and I went to China and talked to President Xi Jinping and I said, 'I come here in peace. I am not here to demand or impose some conditionalities. Just want to shake hand and I want to make friends with you kasi iyong trade ng Philippines pati China maraming restrictions,'" he said.

"Kaya ganoon na lang ang pasalamat ko and they have really lightened up the economic life of our country. Ang sabi niya it was a cold winter, it is springtime for you to embrace with us. Kita mo," he added. —JST, GMA News