By Darryl John Esguerra
MANILA – The Philippines is not closing its ties with China, with Malacañang saying that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. wants to maintain engagement with Beijing, particularly on trade and investments.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the statement Tuesday after China accused Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. of suspending military-to-military communications with Beijing.
Castro did not confirm whether the communications channel had been suspended, saying Teodoro would be in a better position to clarify the details of the issue.
She stressed that closing ties with China is not an option for the government.
“Definitely, hindi naman natin sinasara ang ating relasyon sa China (we are not closing the door on our relations with China),” Castro said.
“Hindi naman po gugustuhin iyan ng Pangulo. Kasi 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 (The President would certainly not want that, because we continue to engage with China, as we also want our trade and investment ties with the country to continue).”
Castro said that the Philippines and China, despite being locked in a long-standing maritime dispute in the West Philippine Sea, need each other for trade.
“Real talk tayo. Kailangan ng China ang Pilipinas. Kailangan din ng Pilipinas ang China pagdating sa trade (Real talk. China needs the Philippines. The Philippines also needs China when it comes to trade
