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China eyes Palawan as source of fish products

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY - China is eyeing the Philippine island province of Palawan as a major source of fish products to supply its increasing population, said China Ambassador to the Philippines Wu Hung Bu during his recent visit to Palawan.

"I will talk with city and provincial authorities here and discuss the possibility of economic cooperation, particularly in fishing industry," the China envoy said.

Ambassador Bu and his party arrived here on Friday morning for a two-day visit. They were warmly welcomed by Vice-Mayor Lucilo Bayron and other city and government officials.

He said this economic cooperation would be beneficial to both countries, adding that it was the result of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's visit to China early this month.

"Both China and Philippine governments agreed to work together in an economic cooperation that would be a win-win situation for both countries," the China official added.

He noted that President Arroyo made a successful visit to China and had strengthened economic and bilateral relations between the two countries.

Palawan Governor Joel T Reyes, who was a member of the president's party in the China state visit, reported earlier that Palawan will be receiving financial assistance from China amounting to US$33 million, which will be utilized in fishery technology and development in the province.

Reyes, who is now in Manila, said that the fishery cooperation would strengthen bilateral relations between the Philippines and China and prevent Chinese fishermen from further violating Philippine fishery laws.

Ambassador Bu's visit is primarily to make representations for the release of 29 Chinese fishermen who were arrested last year for illegal fishing in Philippine waters near Palawan.

The 29 fishermen are at present detained in the Palawan provincial jail.

After making a courtesy call on Palawan Vice Governor David Ponce de Leon, the ambassador went to the Palawan jail to check on the conditions of the detained fishermen.

He also flew last Saturday to Coron to meet with Governor Reyes and conduct site inspections of the fish port project.

(Asia Pulse/PNA)


Sep 29, 2004


 
         
         
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