China may invest in Zamboanga, if...

IMAGE OF THE DAY

People's Republic of China Ambassador to the Philippines Lin Jinjun (center) gesture during a press conference at City Hall in Zamboanga City. He is flanked by Mayor Celso Lobregat (right) and an interpreter. (text & photo HADER GLANG)

Chinese investors and tourists may pour in capital and frequently visit to Zamboanga City, if the security situation in the region improves further favorably.

People’s Republic of China Ambassador to the Philippines Lin Jinjun made the remarks at a press conference with the local media held on Sunday at City Hall.

Lin Jinjun and a five-man delegation, including a military attaché, visited here to explore trade and investment potentials and to get first hand information about the city’s security situation.

He told reporters many Chinese businessmen are keen to invest in Zamboanga City but due to lack of information and misconception about the real situation here they shunned away.

“We do not have much information about Zamboanga. However, we are willing and determine to help the economic and social development of your city,” the visiting Chinese envoy said.

According to Ambassador Lin Jinjun, there are many opportunities in Zamboanga City for Chinese investors in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture, fishery, housing, mining, industrial park and tourism.

Lin Jinjun assured that he would persuade investors and tourists from China to visit here after a thorough study on the real situation in the city and determining the areas of cooperation between China and Zamboanga.

Meanwhile, Mayor Celso Lobregat said that Ambassador Lin Jinjun brought up a very important point. He called on the media to promote Zamboanga and bring out the positive side of the city so that investors would come in.

“It’s really the understanding of people outside of Zamboanga. That’s why I’ve always been appealing to the media to be kind to our city. If you do not promote our city then nobody is going to come and invest here,” Lobregat emphasized.

It was gathered that the bilateral trade volume between the Philippines and China reached $9.4 billion in 2003, up by 78.7% from three years ago. (ZS)