By：Max De Leon
THE recent two-day visit of Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Manila definitely had many highlights.
However, nothing beats the five-second handshake between Wang and President Duterte, which was followed by the Philippine leader washing his hands with alcohol and putting some as well on the hands of the Chinese official.
We all know that handshakes are close to being outlawed all over the world since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out last year. People are encouraged to just do fist bumps, elbow taps or simply wave or nod at each other as a way to contain the spread of the virus.
That makes the handshake between Duterte and Wang a sight to behold — definitely a moving moment. It signified a lot of things, especially as to the Manila-Beijing relationship — you don’t have to say the words.
But Wang and Duterte did.
The Chinese foreign minister promised that Beijing will do its utmost to help Manila fight the Covid-19 pandemic. Wang noted that solidarity is the most powerful weapon against the pandemic, and that the friendship between the two peoples has been strengthened through supporting and helping each other in the joint fight against Covid-19. That promise already translated to a donation of 500,000 doses of Sinovac Covid vaccine, which will be used to jump-start the government’s public inoculation program.
“The Philippines is China’s good friend and good brother. China is ready to do its best to help the Philippines fight the pandemic,” Wang said.
He also reiterated China’s commitment to support the Philippines’ efforts to achieve economic recovery as soon as possible, including Beijing’s participation in the Duterte administration’s Build, Build, Build infrastructure program. An announcement was made that the two countries have sealed a $940-million deal for the Subic-Clark railway project coinciding with Wang’s January 15 to 16 Manila visit.
Wang also assured Duterte that China firmly supports the Philippines in safeguarding its sovereignty and national dignity, and that Beijing will cooperate with Manila in defending their respective legitimate rights and interests and safeguarding international fairness and justice.
Duterte, on the other hand, said the Philippines will firmly implement the important consensus reached by the two countries on enhancing the comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two sides. He noted that the sustained and close high-level exchanges between the Philippines and China provide strategic guidance for developing bilateral ties steadily.
Duterte added that he is looking forward to strengthening the two countries’ cooperation on Covid-19 vaccines. He also vowed to work with China in achieving early economic recovery.
Impressive words. But as they say: “In the old days, all you needed was a handshake.”
Source： Manila Times 29-01-2021