Question: Recently, some media reported that the Cavite Province of the Philippines canceled the US$10 billion airport upgrade project invested by the joint venture of China Communications Construction and local operators. What is your comment on this issue?
Amb. Huang Xilian: I have noticed some reports and speculation on this issue and would like to make some clarifications and share some views with you.
Firstly, what the Cavite Provincial Government canceled was the feasibility study project of the Sangley Point Airport, not the so-called US$10 billion project. According to the agreement of both sides, the winning bidder-a joint venture of the Chinese company and its Philippine partners would invest US$20 million on their own within a certain period of time and they would conduct the feasibility study of the construction of Sangley Point Airport for the Cavite Provincial government. Due to the impact of the Covid-19, the feasibility study has not been launched yet and is canceled at this stage. Obviously, some reports were not accurate.
Secondly, the feasibility study project between the Cavite Provincial government and the joint venture is a pure commercial project and not related to the Central Government of the Philippines or the Chinese Government. It is also not relevant to the Belt and Road Initiative or any third party. Some people politicized this issue based on their speculation, whose purpose is totally unknown.
Thirdly, China understands the desire of the Philippine local government to promote large-scale infrastructure projects. Large-scale infrastructure projects however require big investments and long periods. As to a project which is proven commercially feasible, all related stakeholders need to make long-term and unremitting efforts to ensure its progress and success. The Chinese government encourages Chinese companies to take part in the commercially feasible projects in the Philippines, and at the same time, we hopes that related Philippine local governments will create a favorable business environment for them as well, so as to continue increasing its attractiveness to foreign capital, and strengthen the confidence of Chinese companies who invest in the Philippines.