On 9th February 2022, the first batch of 130 million RMB military donations from China was formally handed over to the Department of National Defense(DND) of the Philippines at the Lapu-Lapu Grandstand, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Metro Manila. Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Gen. Andres Centino, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines attended the turnover ceremony. Other DND senior officials and AFP generals also joined the event.

Ambassador Huang said the delivery of the military donations, which included rescue and relief equipment, reaffirms China’s commitment to do its modest best to help and support the Philippines in its counter-terrorism campaign as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster response mission. This marks a major progress of the friendly relationship between the two countries and the two armed forces and demonstrates a new step forward forthe mutual trust between our defense sectors and armed forces.

Ambassador Huang said that in the past few years, under the guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Duterte, the military to military cooperation between our two countries has made robust headway, including high-level exchanges in defense sectors, deepened cooperation in military education and training, military assistance, anti-pandemic cooperation and defense industry cooperation, whichnot only promoted sound development of our overall relations, but also contributed to regional peace and stability.

Ambassador Huang stressed that a sound and stable China-Philippine relationship, which is the common aspiration of both peoples, is in line with the fundamental interest of both countries. In the Bayanihan spirit, China is willing to continuously work hand in hand with the Philippines to deepen bilateral relations, to strengthen pragmatic exchanges and cooperation in various fields and to jointly maintain regional stability and prosperity.

Defense Secretay Lorenzana, on behalf of President Duterte, expressed his heartfelt gratitude for China’s generous support to Philippine’s defense and security sector and said the sea between us has always provided a strong cultural and geographical connection. We reaffirm this historical bond between our nations through this handover of gratis equipment. Under the terms and conditions of this 130 million RMB military grant, China will support the capacity building activities of the presidential security guard, Marawi rehabilitation efforts, and other humanitarian assistance and disaster relief undertakings. This military grant from China speaks volumes on how our two nations can be civil, diplomatic and friends despite some issues on territorial claims. As partners, Philippines gains much in trade, infrastructure, technology and people-to people exchange. Indeed, there is more we can achieve by working together.

General Centino, lauded China’s contribution to maintaining peace and fighting terrorist groups in the Philippines. He thanked China’s continued and solid support to the Philippines. He stressed that we are looking forward to more productive engagements and partnership and further strengthening our defense relations and pursuing peace and stability for the two countries and the region as a whole.