Source: DFA Public Information Service
The Philippines’ Economic Managers team, headed by Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima (fourth from left), met with Chinese Minister of Transport Li Shenglin (sixth from right) on April 11.
During the call of the Philippine Economic Managers’ team on the Ministry of Transport, Minister Li Shenglin said that it was encouraging for China to hear of the new priorities of President Benigno S. Aquino III. He shared that he has some knowledge of the Philippines, as he was Mayor of Tianjin and he worked with a lot of Philippine companies and Filipinos on common projects. He said that he appreciated the way Filipinos did things.
Minister Li further shared that there are a number of Philippine companies who have investments and projects in Tianjin and that part of Tianjin’s development came from inputs from Philippine companies.
“Philippine entrepeneurs have market oriented awareness and their demand for quality and earnest way of doing things are impressive”, Minister Li said.
Secretary Purisima stated that the Philippines looks forward to learning from China’s impressive infrastructure development program. He explained that President Aquino acknowledges the importance of infrastructure in the competitiveness of a country, which is why infrastructure development is a priority of the present administration. Both sides agreed to explore ways to enhance infrastructure cooperation.
Also in the meeting were Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco, Transportation and Communication Undersecretary Ruben Reinoso, Public-Private Partnership Center Executive Director Philamer Torio, BSP and Philippine Embassy officials.
May 3, 2011
