President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. stood firm on Friday that the agricultural cooperation between the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China is very promising, as both countries share the same priorities and outlooks for the sector.

“It’s very, very promising,” President Marcos told reporters after the turnover ceremony of the 20,000 metric tons of urea fertilizers by the Chinese government to the Philippines in Valenzuela City.

“It turns out that the priority that we put here in the Philippines on agriculture, the Chinese government, as it was explained to me by President Xi when I went to visit him last January, was the same, that their outlook, that their priorities are the same,” he added.

The President also emphasized that the Philippines and China have the same goal of providing affordable food supplies to the people, ensuring farmers’ needs are attended to and providing them good living conditions, and enhancing productivity of the two countries’ agricultural commodities.

President Marcos stressed that it is important to maintain good ties between the Philippines and China so that the two countries can learn from one another in terms of the agriculture sector.

“So we can learn from one another in many, many ways. And I think that has been an ongoing process for a long time now. Not just now because of the food crisis that we are feeling around the world, but also because we have very similar priorities when it comes to agriculture,” he said.

“So, I’m very optimistic,” he added.

President Marcos’ statement came after he was asked about his expectations on the agricultural cooperation between the Philippines and China as he recalled his engagement with Chinese President Xi Jinping in January this year where they shared efforts on ensuring sustainable and affordable food supply.

The chief executive also expressed confidence that the Philippines will continue to benefit from the cooperation with China and would consequently help increase the productivity of the agriculture sector. (PND)