MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN): President Rodrigo Duterte will not follow the lead of the United States government in terminating contracts with Chinese companies involved in Beijing’s reclamation activities in the highly-contested South China Sea, Malacanang said on Tuesday (Sept 1).
The US government recently announced sanctions and restrictions on 24 state-owned firms of China as well as associated officials for taking part in building artificial islands in the disputed waters.
These firms include China Communications Construction Co. Ltd. which in a joint venture with Lucio Tan’s MacroAsia Corp., bagged the initial phase of the Sangley Point International Airport (SPIA) project in Cavite, a province south of Metro Manila.
Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla said he would seek Duterte’s guidance on whether or not to go ahead with the project.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, in a televised Palace press briefing said the Sangley project will push through.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr earlier said he would “strongly” recommend the termination of contracts between the Philippine government and companies involved in China’s reclamation activities in the South China Sea. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network
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