China promises ‘corruption-free’ infrastructure aid to Philippines

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<div class='embed-wrap'><figure data-feedback='fb:likes,fb:comments'><img src='http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/02/10/zhao-jianhua-china.jpg' ><figcaption><div class='embed-desc'>China's Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin and China Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua head to a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacanang on January 17, 2017. <cite>Malacanang Photo/Handout via Reuters</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA – China will increase infrastructure assistance to the Philippines under “corruption-free” agreements, as ties between the two countries improved under President Rodrigo Duterte, Beijing’s envoy said Friday.</p><p>The Chinese government hopes Duterte will secure “emergency powers” to speed up his infrastructure overhaul, Ambassador Zhao Jianhua said, adding a new government would bring “uncertainty.”</p><p>Zhao said investments and loans from China in the coming years will be “even greater” than Beijing’s earlier commitment of $6 billion in soft loans and a $3-billion credit line.</p><p>“We will try to make sure these projects are going to be corruption-free,” Zhao said in a televised speech from Davao City.</p><p>Allegations of corruption scuttled previous infrastructure deals with China, including the $500-million Northrail, which will connect the capital to provinces in the north, and a $329-million national broadband network.</p><p>“There is a very strong sense of urgency. As you all know, the infrastructure projects, they cannot be done overnight,” he said.</p><p>“We must hurry. We have to get it done within the presidential term. We are quite afraid of taking up projects that go beyond the presidential term. That will mean a lot of challenges and uncertainties,” he said.</p><p>Zhao said there was a “strong possibility” that the Philippines and China will break ground on three projects, including a train line from Manila to Legazpi City.</p><p>The Philippines offered 40 projects to China, 15 for financing and 25 others for assistance with feasibility studies, he said.</p>

<p>“We will try to make sure these projects are going to be corruption-free,” Zhao said in a televised speech from Davao City.</p><p>Allegations of corruption scuttled previous infrastructure deals with China, including the $500-million Northrail, which will connect the capital to provinces in the north, and a $329-million national broadband network.</p><p>“There is a very strong sense of urgency. As you all know, the infrastructure projects, they cannot be done overnight,” he said.</p><p>“We must hurry. We have to get it done within the presidential term. We are quite afraid of taking up projects that go beyond the presidential term. That will mean a lot of challenges and uncertainties,” he said.</p><p>Zhao said there was a “strong possibility” that the Philippines and China will break ground on three projects, including a train line from Manila to Legazpi City.</p><p>The Philippines offered 40 projects to China, 15 for financing and 25 others for assistance with feasibility studies, he said.</p>

<p>The Chinese government hopes Duterte will secure “emergency powers” to speed up his infrastructure overhaul, Ambassador Zhao Jianhua said, adding a new government would bring “uncertainty.”</p><p>Zhao said investments and loans from China in the coming years will be “even greater” than Beijing’s earlier commitment of $6 billion in soft loans and a $3-billion credit line.</p>

<div class='embed-wrap'><figure data-feedback='fb:likes,fb:comments'><img src='http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/02/10/zhao-jianhua-china.jpg' ><figcaption><div class='embed-desc'>China's Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin and China Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua head to a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacanang on January 17, 2017. <cite>Malacanang Photo/Handout via Reuters</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA – China will increase infrastructure assistance to the Philippines under “corruption-free” agreements, as ties between the two countries improved under President Rodrigo Duterte, Beijing’s envoy said Friday.</p>

<p>China will increase infrastructure aid to the Philippines under “corruption-free” agreements, as ties between the two countries improved under President Rodrigo Duterte, Beijing’s envoy said Friday.</p>

China will increase infrastructure aid to the Philippines under “corruption-free” agreements, as ties between the two countries improved under President Rodrigo Duterte, Beijing’s envoy said Friday.

China promises ‘corruption-free’ infrastructure aid to Philippines | ABS-CBN News

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China promises ‘corruption-free’ infrastructure aid to Philippines

China promises ‘corruption-free’ infrastructure aid to Philippines