On 16 July 2020, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 86Links Group, kickstarting a strategic partnership that will strengthen the friendship between China and the Philippines. The MoU was signed by representatives from both parties, namely, the Director-General of PEZA, Dr. Bgen Charito B. Plaza Mnsa and the CEO of 86Links Group, Mr. Gong Zhenzhi, witnessed by Mr. Guo Chuan Wei, the Director-General of ASEAN-China Centre and Ms. Glen Peñaranda, the Commercial Counsellor of the Philippine Trade and Investment Centre of the Philippine Embassy in China.
Mr. Gong mentioned that 86Links Group will be able to leverage on advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and big data to help enterprises and parks achieve accurate docking in the Philippines. 86Links Group can also enhance digital industrial park catalogs using 5G and the Internet of things (IoT). Given how these advantages offered by 86Links Group can meet the development needs of PEZA, this strategic cooperation will allow both sides to work hand-in-hand in the construction of industrial parks going forward.
In his speech, Dr. Bgen Charito B. Plaza Mnsa provided an overview of the development projects and opportunities that PEZA has planned, highlighting that this partnership with 86Links Group, a professional Chinese partner, would be conducive to PEZA in terms of upgrading its comprehensive digital database, as well as promoting local employment and industrial development. He also encouraged more Chinese enterprises to invest in the Philippines and take advantage of the many development opportunities PEZA has to offer.
As Mr. Guo rightfully pointed out, 2020 marks the 45th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines. As such, he expressed his optimism towards the strategic cooperation between PEZA and 86Links Group. According to Mr. Guo, this partnership will not only lay a foundation for the digitization of Philippine economic zones and industrial parks at various levels, but it can also serve as a model for future collaborations between the two countries in related fields, allowing them to seize opportunities in the digital economy together. Mr. Guo also spoke about a recent telephone call between President Xi Jinping of China and President Duterte of the Philippines on 11 June 2020, during which President Xi stressed the importance of the brotherhood between China and the Philippines in their mutual assistance to combat the pandemic.
Finally, Ms. Peñaranda also emphasized the importance of the partnership between China and the Philippines, acknowledging that more Chinese enterprises are participating in the development of Philippine manufacturing and service industries. With offices in various locations in China, Ms. Peñaranda said that the Philippine Investment and Trade Center would be able to provide better services for Chinese enterprises and provide them with more trade and investment opportunities.
The cross-border virtual signing ceremony concluded successfully with many congratulatory remarks from Chinese and foreign guests, signifying a positive outlook on the partnership between PEZA and 86Links Group.
