China means business.
In fact, the Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines, Huang Xilian, has proposed a plan with Filipino-Chinese businessmen to develop the Greater Manila Bay Area (GMBA), which would be similar to the Greater Bay Area covering Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau.
“Ambassador Huang Xilian has seen that there is potential. We’re linking up between Bataan Cavite, so in between is the Greater Manila and Bulacan,” Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) president Cecilio Pedro said at the Manila Forum for Philippines-China Relations in Pasay City.
According to Pedro, Huang has proposed replicating the GBA in the Philippines, including the areas near Manila Bay—from Bataan to Cavite.
Pedro added that Filipino-Chinese businessmen also support the suggestion of the Chinese envoy.
When asked how the GMBA will work with the Luzon Economic Corridor, which the United States and Japan back as part of the trilateral partnership with the Philippines, Pedro said he does not see any issue in having two economic development initiatives within the same areas.
“What’s wrong with that? The more, the merrier,” he said.
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