Pork paradox It is now February and today the Year of the Pig is celebrated. The 2019 budget, which should have been passed late in 2018, is still caught up in a dispute between House members and the Senate over, ironically, pork. YUMMIE DINGDING ">Pork paradox It is now February and today the Year of the Pig is celebrated. The 2019 budget, which should have been passed late in 2018, is still caught up in a dispute between House members and the Senate over, ironically, pork. YUMMIE DINGDING

The Year of the Earth Pig which starts today in the Lunar calendar is expected to usher in celestial balance which equates to harmony among countries in the political sphere and bodes well for the continued improvement of ties between the Philippines and China.

President Rodrigo Duterte urged harmony as he called on the Chinese-Filipino community and the entire nation to hold on to values that promote peace and understanding, as the country celebrates Chinese New Year.

“Together, let us cultivate the values and ideas that fuel our strong resolve to usher in a period of greater peace and understanding as we rise higher above the challenges ahead,” Duterte said in a message.

Duterte also recognized the “unique culture” brought about by the long-time friendship between the Philippines and China.

“The friendship and cooperation forged between the Philippines and China have not only led to greater prosperity and economic growth for both our nations, but also gave rise to a unique culture that is nurtured by harmony amidst diversity,” Duterte said.

Mr. Duterte expressed hope that the Chinese New Year would bring Chinese Filipinos and the entire nation “more achievements”.

“May this New Year bring hope, inspiration and more achievements for the Chinese-Filipino community and the entire nation,” the President said.

Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua described the trajectory of relations between the neighbors as “sustained betterment and growth” during the Spring Festival reception.

Tourist arrivals from Beijing have increased and the construction of China-funded infrastructure projects in the country progressed “positively” in 2018, he said.

He noted that over the past two years, “under the guidance of our two leaders, China-Philippine relations have achieved an overall turnaround, enjoyed a sustained growth with strength and depth and surged forward along a fast track,” Zhao said.

Relations between both countries have radically changed for the better from the term of former President Benigno Aquino who refused to engage China in dialogue particularly on the territorial dispute that was brought to the international arbitral tribunal at The Hague.

President Rodrigo Duterte revised the approach to engaging China as a friend and neighbor that brought benefits to the country which is in the midst of massive infrastructure buildup that is the cornerstone of administration’s economic program.

Lucky’s word of day People gather at the Lucky Chinatown Plaza to take part in the “Eight Lucky Rituals” at the start of celebrations leading to today’s Chinese New Year. This year is the Year of the Earth Pig on the Chinese Lunar calendar and is supposed to represent abundance, diligence and generosity. AP Momentum maintained

“2018 witnessed a sustained betterment and growth of China-Philippines relations,” Zhao said.

He added China is the Philippines’ fastest growing tourist market after recording 1.25 million Chinese visitors in 2018, or a 29.6 percent increase year-on-year.

The construction of drug-rehabilitation centers, two bridges over the Pasig River and the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project funded by China’s grants or soft loans have also “made positive progress,” Zhao added.

China also remains as the Philippines’ “top trading partner and import origin, and the fourth largest export market,” he said.

In the past two years, Zhao said China has imported more than two million tons of tropical fruits from the Philippines, which generated more than $1.5 billion revenue for 40,000 Filipino farmers.

In his speech, the envoy attributed the progress of relations between countries to the “support and facilitation provided by the friends of China from all walks of life and the Chinese communities in the Philippines.”

China and the Philippines made efforts to thaw its frozen ties following decades of bitter maritime dispute over the West Philippine Sea.

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the Philippines in November last year and saw the signing of 29 documents covering Beijing and Manila’s functional cooperation in various fields.

During his trip, the two countries reached a consensus to upgrade bilateral ties to a “relationship of strategic cooperation.”