China and PH need each other in trade, Palace says

MANILA — The Philippines and China need each other in trade and investment, the Palace said on Tuesday.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said this after Vice President Sara Duterte’s claimed that the relations of the two countries may be strained because of Marcos’ statement on China money into a firm linked to her husband.

“Definitely hindi naman natin sinasara ang ating relasyon sa China. Hindi naman po gugustuhin iyan ng pangulo,” Castro said.

(Definitely, we are not severing relations with China. That is not what the president wants.)

“Tuluy-tuloy pa rin ang pakikipag-ugnayan natin sa China dahil nais din po natin magpatuloy din iyong trade and investment natin sa bansang China,” she added.

(Relations with China will continue because we also want trade and investment with them continue.)

Castro said that discourse on protecting Philippine territory and interests is distinct from maintaining trade ties with the Asian giant.

“Real talk tayo. Kailangan ang China ang Pilipinas. Kailangan din ang Pilipinas ang China pagdating sa trade,” Castro added.

(Real talk: The Philippines needs China. China also needs the Philippines in trade.)

The Chinese Embassy has denied funding political factions in the Philippines.