Philippines opens door to China Telecom, strengthening ties with China

AFP reported that Philippine presidential spokesman Harry Roque confirmed on December 12 that President Rodrigo Duterte had opened the door for Chinese telecommunications company China Telecom to become the Philippines' third telecommunications provider, breaking the dominance of two domestic companies.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. (Source: AFP/VNA)

According to spokesman Roque, this is part of Mr. Duterte's efforts to improve bilateral relations between the two countries both politically and economically.

"This issue was brought up in the bilateral negotiations between the Philippines and China. And the telecommunications company chosen by China, China Telecom, is obviously one of the largest telecommunications carriers in the world," Roque said.

"Giving (an opportunity) to a Chinese company is a political decision by the president. In my opinion, the purpose of this is also to strengthen the bilateral relationship with China," Mr. Roque said.

President Duterte has repeatedly stressed that he wants to introduce a third carrier into the Philippine telecommunications industry to encourage competition and improve services.

Mr. Duterte has sought to strengthen political, military and economic ties with China, the Philippines' traditional ally, since taking office as President last year./.

According to Vietnam+