MANILA – The Chinese government has allocated PHP1 billion worth of military assistance to the Philippines, with the first batch of equipment worth around PHP614 million delivered a week ago.
Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian said the equipment, mostly vehicles, would be formally turned over in February.
“The first batch of the military equipment worth RMB76 million arrived in Manila on January 16, including rescue and relief equipment, which will be formally turned over to the DND (Department of National Defense) and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) in February. The second batch worth RMB54 million will be delivered on a later date,” he said in a statement on Saturday.
The donation was part of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s 2019 commitment to assist and support the Philippine government in its counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism campaign.
In 2020, Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe formally pledged RMB130 million (PHP1 billion) worth of military donation to the country.
“I hope that the donation would play a role in maintaining peace and fighting terrorism campaign as well as providing humanitarian assistance and disaster response mission of typhoon Odette,” Huang said.
“China will continue to support the Philippines’ disaster relief and recovery efforts and the AFP capability building to the best of its ability,” he added. (PNA)
