The Philippines and China will sign at least eight government-to-government deals on Thursday.
The deals do not include joint exploration for energy resources in the South China Sea.
Mr. Duterte said on Wednesday there were no discussions between
Philippine and Chinese officials about joint exploration for oil and
natural gas in the heavily contested waterway.
He said joint exploration with China in those waters needed approval by Congress.
Akbayan Rep. Tomasito Villarin warned the government against entering
into such an agreement with China, pointing out that it might
compromise the Philippines’ interests in the South China Sea.
It is not clear whether a fisheries agreement allowing Filipino
fishermen access to Scarborough Shoal, or Panatag Shoal, is among those
to be signed during Mr. Duterte’s four-day state visit to China, which
began on Tuesday.
The government-to-government deals, to be signed at the Great Hall of
the People in Beijing, include cooperation in the fight against crime,
which will boost Mr. Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs.
On Friday, Filipino and Chinese businessmen will sign eight
agreements covering rail and land transportation, industrial zones, ICT
development, infrastructure, tourism, energy and telecommunications.
The deals include one between Huawei and Globe Telecom and another
between Alcatel Lucent Shanghai Bell Co. Ltd. and Globe that will add
speed to the Philippines’ slow internet service.
Another deal is for the construction of a railway that will connect
Subic Bay Freeport in Zambales province to Clark Freeport in Pampanga
province for the benefit of business and industry locators at both
special economic zones.
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