THAT was a stupendous idea from China's ambassador to the Philippines, Huang Xilian, in his speech at the Manila Forum for Philippine-China Relations at the Conrad Hotel last Aug. 21, 2024. The proposal is for the development of the vision for a "Greater Manila Bay Area," in the style of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), which can become a massive driving force for the economic rise of the Philippines.
Actually, China has already started with assistance to the Greater Manila Bay Area concept with the approval from the China-led Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank of the $350-million loan to complete the $1-billion first tranche of the Bataan-Cavite Bridge project, although the concept may not even be in the minds of the Philippine planners yet. With Ambassador Huang expanding the concept now and support from the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII), the dream can be closer to reality going forward.
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