lHE PHILIPPINE SlAR

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THURSDAY I MARCH 28, 2OI9 PAqu -r4 "

China's progress propels common development

inAsia Philippine House SpeakerAmoyo
MANILA, March 26 (Xinhua)
-
hina's rapid development in the
rst 40 years has spurred common
evelopment in Asia, said Gloria
[acapagal-Arroyo, a member of the
oard of Directors of the Boao Forum
nAsia (BFA) and Speaker of the House
I Representatives of ihe Philippines.
Indeed, Arroyo, also a former
hilippine president, lold. Xinhua in
r exclusive interview on Monday
:fore she attends the BFA 2019 annudl
rnference that China has proven to be
gobd parbrer rather than a rival for the
st of developing Asia.
The 40-year cooperation between
hina and'other As-ian countries has
'ought tremendous progress, she said.
This year's annual meeting of BFA,
heduled from March 25 io 29 in Boao,
town in China's southern island
rovince of Hainan, has the theme of
ihared Future, Concerted Actio&
ommon Development."
Arrovo recalled that when China
as beginnirg the reform and opening
:40 years ago, the rest of developing
sia like the Philippines wondered
hether China would become a rival
'a partner.
"But it (China) progresses in the will focus on openness, innovation and
as
- the world are the keys to China's among the developing countries that
partner in development, ifs a market
for developing countries, a donor and
a provider of capital and technology.
Tliat's how the lhared development
- '
has progressed," Arroyo said.
The BFA annual conference 2019
opening up of China at the conference.
"Look at what happened to China
40 veirrs since it started its refo.ir and
opening ,rp. It has meted 800 million
op6nitrg up.
people out of povetty," Arroyo said.
"So, that is what reform and opening
up did, that is what openness and
most extraordinary develolar4ent will benefit {rom the Belt and Road
and transformation in the last..40 Initiative.
years. China has given importaned"tit ' "With the infrastructurd Build,
technology, she added. Build, Build program of President
During the Boao Forum for Asia Rodrigo Dul.erte, the Belt and Road
Annual Conlerence 201& China made Initiative will be very important
a promise of furthering the openhg up for the Philippines in the coming
to the outside world. years," Arroyo said, adding that
"I believe in globalization and free "there's no couniry in the world that
trade, It's very important that the matches the recent track record of
leading countries in the world will China and capability in the area of
champion globalization" Arroyo said. infrastructurq,"
"Nbw if we look at the history the "l'm really very impressed by the
world's leading economy was the enthusiasm displayed by China and
US, which saw its role to spearhead so we in the Philippines shouJd match
globalization and ftee trade. However, that enthusiasm on the implementation
what hapoened is that there is now side," Arroyo said.
a new tr'eird in ihe US - the Trump- Arrovo was elected as a member
stvle un.ilateralism and conservatism. the Boaid of Directors of the BFA. S
Ttrat's a new potiry China has correctly spoke highly of the role tha t the BF
stated'we have to enhance reform and played during the last 18 years.
opening up.' So, that's very important Arroyo stressed the import
that China is now taken up the cudgels of the BFA to the world, espe<
for globalization through reforms and to developing countries
opening up," she added. Philippines.
The Belt and Road lnitiative, "The BFA gives an oppor
proposed by China in 2013, aims the world's leaders in
to build a trade and infrastructure and society who are deeply involved
network connecting Asia with Europe, Asia to step back from their pressi
Africa and beyond. Now, the initiative issues of govemance, of busineqs and <

lyears of reform and opening up, globalization. qlohelirafion did to C}lina-"

globalization China." has won wide support across the socrety and look
society brggerlssues.
looK at the bigger issues.
e began to realize that China is not Arroyo said she hopes that the She said irmovation and long-term world. think that is the use of {he Boao forum,
competitor. It was proven to be a forum will look back to the reform and vision of reform and opening up to Arroyo said the Philippines is Arrovo said.