CONTEMPORARY WORLD

WRITTEN INTERVIEW FOR AMBASSADOR JOSE SANTIAGO STA. ROMANA OF REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

CONTEMPORARY WORLD

Interviewer:Since President Duterte was sworn in on June 30th, 2016, he has been very decisive and fi rm in promoting reform measures, and has won acknowledgement and rising support from the Philippine people. Could you please brief us on the specif i c policy measures of President Duterte and their ef f ects?

H.E. Romana: President Duterte’s administration has several socio-economic priorities. These priorities are anchored on instituting necessary changes in governance and policies that would result in better lives and security for the Filipinos.

The President aims to empower the poor and marginalized, push for improved transparency and accountability in governance and fuel our economy. While continuing and maintaining current macroeconomic policies, including fiscal, monetary and trade policies, he is pursuing initiatives to make growth more inclusive by lowering poverty incidence in the rural areas, creating more jobs, making individuals and communities more resilient, driving innovation and building greater trust in government and in society.

He is committed to pursuing infrastructure development and protection of our environment and natural resources. He is also committed to instituting a progressive tax reform system and more effective tax collection, increasing competitiveness and the ease of doing business, ensuring security of land tenure, investing in human capital development, and promoting science, technology and creative arts. He is staunchly undertaking initiatives to reduce all forms of criminality and to curb the use of illegal drugs, to enhance peace and security in the country.

The Philippines enjoys a generally stable social and political environment. Citizens are counting on the government’s anti-criminality and law enforcement programs to make the country safer and more secure. The government’s efforts to increase transparency and accountability in government transactions lead to strengthening the public’s trust and increasing investors’ confidence. The Philippine economy remains robust and is growing at a healthy and steady pace. The country continues to be a travel and investment destination.

These are some of the factors why the President consistently enjoys a high- approval rating from Filipinos.

Interviewer:The Philippines is a close neighbor of China separated by sea. The two countries and peoples have enjoyed a long history of friendly relations. Despite the unpleasantness stirred up by the South China Sea arbitration, the China-Philippines relations have been on the track of comprehensive development since President Duterte visited China in October, 2016. How do you evaluate the China-Philippines relations? What are your suggestions for the future development of the relations?

H.E. Romana:The Philippines’ relation with China is one of its most important, given the undeniable fact that we are neighbors. The expanse and depth of contacts between the Philippines and China over the centuries and across all sectors are the inevitable consequence of this proximity. On the other hand, our proximity also resulted in challenges with respect to certain areas in which we have differing claims leading to some disputes and misunderstandings. The key is how to manage our differences while we build on our commonalities and our centuries-old friendship.

This was one of the main considerations of President Duterte’s foreign policy towards China when he became President in June of 2016. The President’s basic approach was not to put the disputes at the “front and center” of the bilateral relations, but to focus more on the other aspects of the relations by which both countries can proceed and support each other’s development interests. These would include areas such as trade, investments, infrastructure development, tourism, law enforcement, and others. The Philippines is aware that the differences and disputes are still there, but it hopes that with enough trust, goodwill, and understanding that would be fostered by our mutually beneficial cooperation with China, the differenceswill be managed and hopefully be addressed properly.

The President’s visit in October last year is considered by both sides as a milestone visit that would infuse new energy into the relations and bring tangible benefits to our peoples. During the visit, our countries committed to pursue a broad spectrum of cooperation activities and resume a number of important bilateral mechanisms. I was privileged to participate in a number of them, such as the Foreign Ministry Consultations in January 2017, the Joint Committee on Economic and Trade Cooperation Meeting in March, and the Coast Guard Cooperation Meeting in February. These meetings produced very positive results and also facilitated the exchange of constructive ideas towards future cooperation. We must continue to support these exchanges to ensure their success.

Constant communication between our two countries would be critical in the development of the relations, thus, both countries must always demonstrate their willingness to meet and exchange views at various levels and to continuously explore avenues by which beneficial activities can be pursued.

On our differences, particularly in the South China Sea, it is worthy to note that both sides have agreed to establish a bilateral consultation mechanism to discuss issues related to the SCS. Both sides are eagerly looking forward to the first meeting of this bilateral consultation mechanism in May 2017. It is hoped that aside from discussing issues of concern to either side, it would also serve as a confidence-building platform for promoting maritime cooperation and maritime security.

As Ambassador, I with Philippine Embassy in Beijing stand ready to support and facilitate these helpful exchanges and to contribute to the efforts of forging further partnership and cooperation between the Philippines and China.

Interviewer:DuringhismeetingwithPres identDuterte,PresidentXiJinpingpointedo utthatit is necessary to promote people-topeople relations between China and the Philippines. Do you have any suggestions on this regard?

H.E. Romana:The Philippines and China share centuries-old bonds of friendships and if we think about it, many of these friendships were fostered not through formal mechanisms but mainly through personal contacts and they remain as the most robust ones in terms of cementing the ties between our two peoples. By promoting interactions among our peoples, we can contribute to deepening our relations and enhancing our mutual understanding. It is in these contexts that both the Philippines and China appreciate the profound value continuing and strengthening our people-to-people exchanges.

Cultural cooperation is one of the means to promote people-to-people relations. In November 2015, the Philippines and China signed the Executive Program for 2015-2018 of the Philippines-China Cultural Agreement which contemplates, among others, cultural and arts exchanges such as visits of heritage architects, historians, librarians, museum archeologists, interdisciplinary performing artists and cultural troupes, as well as exchange of art exhibits and cultural performances complemented with workshops and interactions with local artists.

In October 2016, the National Ballet of China had a goodwill performance at the Cultural Center of the Philippines under the ambit of the Executive Program. The Embassy is coordinating closely with the Ministry of Culture for the reciprocal goodwill performance in Beijing of the Ballet Philippines. We hope both sides will further implement the Executive Program.

Another area which promotes meaningful as well as practical people-topeople exchanges is in education. Both countries are looking into increasing the number of exchange students and scholars from and to one another. These academic exchanges not only improve the skills, knowledge, and capabilities of both Filipino and Chinese students, but instill a sense of friendship and understanding among in them at a young age, which hopefully they could built on as they grow and become our future leaders.

Tourism is also another important as-pect that promotes our people-to-people ties. Visiting each other’s country allows both our peoples to appreciate the different aspects of our respective heritage –from our natural and man-made wonders, delectable food, unique arts, songs, and dances, to our rich histories and colorful everyday life.

China has become one of the fastest growing sources of tourists for the Philippines. In 2015, the number of Chinese visitors to the Philippines reached 490,841 (a year-on-year increase of 24.28%). From January to September 2016, China has become the 3rd biggest tourist market of the Philippines, with a remarkable 44 percent growth rate during this nine-month period. For 2017, the Department of Tourism has targeted one million Chinese visitors.

Interviewer: The Philippines is an important “Belt and Road” country. According to our knowledge, President Duterte will attend the “Belt and Road”International Cooperation Summit in the upcoming May. What role do you think the “Belt and Road” initiative would play in promoting development of relevant countries? Are there any areas for pragmatic cooperation between China and the Philippines under the “Belt and Road” framework?

H.E. Romana:The Philippines undestands that the Belt and Road Initiative launched by His Excellency President Xi Jinping in 2013 envisions, among others, global connectivity through infrastructure, facilitation of trade, financial cooperation, common economic development, and people-to-people exchanges. The Philippines notes the value and potential of such an initiative in helping countries in their own respective economic development goals.

The Philippines is guided by its own national economic and strategic interests, through the Philippine Development Plan and the President’s 10-point Socio Economic Agenda. As part of the ASEAN, the Philippines also adheres to the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC). To the extent that the Belt and Road initiative converges with these Philippine priorities and strategic interests, the Philippines would be interested to work with countries in activities related to the BRI.

As a sign of the Philippines’ interests in learning more about the Belt and Road Initiative, President Duterte will be among the 30 world leaders that would participate in the Belt and Road Forum in May.

Interviewer: We know that you had been working and living in China for many years before you took the position as Philippine Ambassador to China, and you know China very well. Based on your experiences and observation, how would you evaluate China’s development achievement under CPC’s leadership for the past over 30 years?

H.E. Romana:China’s development in the past years has been unprecedented. Under the leadership of the CPC, China surmounted challenges to overcome social and political instability, undertake reforms and achieve coordinated and sustainable development. Many observers have noted that this was not an easy achievement considering the vastness of the country and its large population but throughout the years, the CPC have put forth doable and practical visions to slowly uplift the plight of the Chinese people.

Most recently of course, Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping launched his vision of the “Chinese Dream” and pursuing the four-pronged comprehensive strategy of (1) comprehensively build a moderately prosperous society; (2) comprehensively deepen reform; and (3) comprehensively govern the nation accordingly to law; and (4) comprehensively strictly govern the party.

This vision by President Xi will definitely contribute in addressing the continuing challenges that China faces as a developing nation, which includes imbalanced development between urban and rural areas and between regions, increasing population, environmental pressures, need to improve social services and income distribution, and others.

The relentless efforts by the CPC and the Chinese Government to pursue the vision of President Xi are certainly making head ways. In 2016 alone, for example, a total of 13.14 million new urban jobs were added over the course of the year. The registered urban unemployment is at 4%, which is considered the lowest level in years and is significant considering China’s over 1.3 billion population. The number of people living in poverty in rural areas was reduced by 12.4 million. Personal per capita disposable income increased by 6.3% in real terms.

Although, China’s economy registered slower growth last year, economic performance is stable with a good momentum for growth. In 2016, China’s GDP still reached 74.4 trillion yuan, which represents 6.7% growth. One significant development for other countries is that China contributed to 30 percent of global growth. It is noteworthy that in setting China’s goals, President Xi aspires for development, cooperation, and mutual benefit for all countries.

Many countries, especially developing ones, are constantly trying to learn from China’s achievements in the past decades as an example of how determined leadership, such as that of the CPC, could serve the welfare of the people.

Interviewer:The CPC is the strong leadership core of the Socialist cause with Chinese characteristics. In the second half of this year, the CPC will convene the 19th National Party Congress, which will be a big event for the party and the country politically speaking. What do you expect from the Congress?

H.E. Romana:The world will certainly be watching the 19th National Party Congress in October, especially the changes that are expected in the Standing Committee. With President Xi and with Premier Li Keqiang remaining at the helm, however, we expect that the new leaders and officials in the CPC will continue to work on the remarkable strides that have been achieved by President Xi’s leadership since 2013. The Party, for example, is expected to reiterate its commitment of doubling China’s GDP by 2020 from the 2010 level, thus continuing with its economic programs to achieve an average growth rate of around 6.5. to 7 percent.

Reforms to continue China’s transition towards a market-based economy,addressing structural imbalances, and addressing inefficiencies in the corporate and public sectors are also likely to carry on.

It is anticipated that the 19th CPC Congress will reaffirm President Xi’s commitment and tireless campaign against corruption and to clean the Party’s image, which have gained popular support from the Chinese public and have resulted in better governance across different levels.

In terms of relations with other countries, it is expected that the 19th CPC Congress will continue to support China’s efforts to reach out to other countries through its various global initiatives, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, the AIIB, and others. The world is certainly hoping for the success of the 19th CPC National Congress as this would also redound to opportunities for other countries in terms of China’s pursuit of cooperation and mutual benefit.

Interviewer:The CPC stands ready to strengthen communication and cooperation with various political parties based on the principles of “independence, complete equality, mutual respect, and non-interference in each other’s internal af f airs”. In last January, the Philippine Democratic Party-Power of the People (PDP-Laban) delegation headed by Party Vice Chairman Alfonso Cusi visited China. In February, Mr. Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee led a CPC delegation to the Philippines. Relations between the two parties have developed smoothly. How would you evaluate the role played by party-to-party relations in promoting bilateral relations of the two countries? What would be your suggestions on promoting our partyto-party relations in the future?

H.E. Romana:The Philippines and China acknowledge the utmost importance of maintaining high-level exchanges in promoting the all-around development of bilateral relations, these include exchange of visits of high-ranking government delegations, leaders at the local level, parliamentarians, political parties, and civil organizations.

The exchanges between the CPC and various political parties in the Philippines are particularly helpful in fostering the good relations between the Philippines in China. As we know, political parties are pivotal in formulating public opinion, as they articulate their views to their constituencies and engage discussions with other groups, thus, they help shape the political consciousness of the population on various issues, domestic and international. Political parties are also crucial in the formulation of government policies as it is through party affiliations that leaders shape their initial views and opinions on various matters. Thus, the healthy relations of political parties from different countries cascade into good relations among their peoples and leaders. Aside from this, political parties from different countries have many things to learn from each other about governance. I recall that during the visit in China of PDP-Laban Party Vice Chairman and Secretary of Energy Alfonso Cusi in January 2017, he noted the CPC’s vision and goals for China as well as the achievements of CPC’s leadership throughout the years in helping the Chinese people enjoy better lives.

I fervently hope that the exchanges between the CPC and political parties in the Philippines will continue and that their cooperation would lead to concrete joint activities which would help both the Chinese and Filipino people.

Interviewer:The Philippines will assume the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (or ASEAN) in the year of 2017, which also marks the 50 anniversary of the founding of ASEAN, as well as the China-ASEAN Year of Cooperation on Tourism. What would be your expectations and suggestions for the China-ASEAN cooperation in the future?

H.E. Romana:It is a great honor for the Philippines to be ASEAN’s Chair in 2017, as ASEAN celebrates its 50th Anniversary. With the theme “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World,” the Philippines will pursue the realization of six thematic priorities: a people-oriented and people-centered ASEAN, peace and stability in the region, maritime security and cooperation, inclusive and innovation-led growth, a resilient ASEAN, and an ASEAN that would be a model of regionalism and a global player.

The Philippines looks forward to further strengthen ASEAN-China cooperation during its chairmanship as ASEAN and China have witnessed steady growth and development in its relations.

ASEAN and China are linked in many ways - geographically, economically and culturally. ASEAN-China trade and investment continue to surge, and exchanges in the fields of culture, education, sports, science and technology and tourism, among others, are also increasing. ASEAN attaches great importance to its partnership with China and hopes to work with China in maintaining a peaceful, harmonious and prosperous region.

This year, 2017, is also the ASEANChina Year of Tourism Cooperation. We hope both sides will continue to undertake initiatives that will boost twoway tourist visits and promote greater people-to-people exchanges between ASEAN and China.

In line with the Philippines’ thematic priorities, ASEAN and China can cooperate and partner in projects and activities that promote or achieve, among others, community-building; respect for the rights and dignity of people and vulnerable groups; appreciation of ASEAN’s cultural heritage; increased access to healthcare and improved nutrition; counter violent extremism, trafficking in persons and use of dangerous drugs; disaster-risk reduction and management, and climate change adaptability.

On the issue of the South China Sea, we hope that ASEAN and China will continue to work together to achieve peace and stability in the region, strengthen the region’s adherence to universally-recognized principles of international law, continue to abide by their commitments to the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Code of Conduct (DOC), and work towards a framework of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

(The interview to H.E. Mr Romana was completed on May 3, 2017.—Remarked by the editor.)

10.19422/j.cnki.cn10-1398/d.2017.03.006