President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. clarified that the Philippines is not distancing itself from China despite ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea, emphasizing that Manila remains open to economic partnerships with any nation as long as they benefit the Filipino people.
Speaking during the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) Presidential Luncheon in Manila, President Marcos stressed that economic ties and diplomatic engagements with Beijing remain active and pragmatic.
He noted that dispute claims in maritime zones do not prevent both nations from collaborating on practical matters, including trade and crisis response.
“I don’t think that that’s in any policy statement that we are distancing ourselves from China. We are continuing to find many instances where we are very much in cooperation with China,” Marcos said. “China is one of the biggest investors still in the Philippines.”
“And all of these, shall we say, conflicting claims in the West Philippine Sea simply did not enter into that discussion. And so the idea that we are somehow distancing ourselves from China, quite the contrary,” he added.
Addressing questions regarding the Philippines’ involvement in the US-led Pax Silica initiative, the President dismissed notions that accepting American-led tech investments signifies a shift away from Chinese capital, explaining that foreign investment is not a binary choice.
“I don’t see it in that way. It’s not a binary thing. It’s not either-or in our case,” Marcos stated.
“Whenever someone is interested to come into the Philippines to invest, so long as it is to the mutual benefit of all parties involved, that for us, you say, is a good deal. And it is a good deal that we will enter into, no matter where it comes from,” he explained.
“If it comes from the U.S., if it comes from Europe, if it comes from China, if it comes from Japan, if it comes from Korea, if it comes from Canada, Australia, we engage with anyone,” he said.
The Chief Executive reiterated that national priority rests on securing job creation, skills development, and technological progress that advance the domestic economy.
“And so long as we are able to move the economy forward and to better the lives of our people, then that is something that we will certainly examine,” Marcos remarked.
“And if it turns out that that is a beneficial agreement or arrangement, then certainly we will become part of it,” he added.
Marcos also dispelled concerns that international technology initiatives could result in the unlawful exploitation of the country’s mineral wealth, reinforcing that state approval remains paramount.
“I cannot see how another country can come to the Philippines and, for example, exploit our minerals without the agreement of the Philippine government,” Marcos emphasized.