US official: How many ‘promises from Beijing...

PAGE 1 address security concerns in the region but also bring “economic opportunities, jobs” to their host communities. now are just that, minibuses. They are not jeepneys. Ours is the real jeepney,” said Francisco.

“As we strengthen our ability to work together, there are contracts that come with that, and the vast majority of those are going to Philippine businesses,” she said.

He said the company is also discussing with jeepney operators the possibility of the company upgrading the existing jeepneys of those who cannot afford new units to make them PUVM compliant.

“We are not selling jeepneys, what we are selling are livelihoods. With the jeeps we sell, those who buy from us, the transport operators, must be able to make a living,” Francisco said.

He said he is optimistic that the government will support a locally designed and produced jeepney since “our politicians are all Filipinos who have, at one point in their lives, were able to ride a jeepney and have fond memories [of it].” g

Washington and Manila have historically maintained strong economic ties, with over $33 billion a year in bilateral trade and $100 million a year in U.S. investments specifically in climate and energy.

‘Lots of promises’

But the 75-year alliance grew cold under former President Rodrigo Duterte, who was openly hostile to the United States while welcoming Chinese support for his ambitious “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program.

Nuland noted: “We’ve seen a lot of promises from Beijing, but how many of those promises have actually been converted to jobs, to climate investments that bring benefit to the people?… That’s part of what we’re working on right now.”

Among the earliest gains claimed by the Duterte administration in making a pivot to China was reported in October 2016, when the government secured $24 billion in investment and credit line pledges from Beijing during Duterte’s state visit. The pledges were said to be good for two million jobs to be generated in the next five years.

In April 2019, when Duterte visited China for the fourth time as president, the government reported $12.16 billion investment and trade deals with Chinese partners for energy, petrochemical, industrial park and infrastructure projects. A total of 19 business agreements were signed and were projected to create some 21,000 new jobs.

In January 2021, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said the Panhua Group, one of China’s top private enterprises, had invested $3.5 billion to build a steel plant intended to upgrade the country’s steel industry and create 10,000 direct jobs and 20,000 indirect jobs.

In January 2023, under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Malacañang said he secured $22.8-billion investment pledges during his three-day state visit to China, including $1.72 billion for agribusiness, $13.76 billion for renewable energy and $7.32 billion for strategic monitoring. g

SOUTHERN NEVADA REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY Procurement Dept. 340 N. 11TH Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ Q23032) FOR

MASTER DEVELOPER SERVICES FOR THREE SITES: DUNCAN & EDWARDS, OLD ROSE GARDENS AND 28TH AND SUNRISE

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