PhilSCAT-TCP II : Bridge and Bond Between China and the Philippines

KMD Interview with Chinese Experts’ Team “PhilSCAT-TCP II as Bridge and Bond Between China and the Philippines. . .” Knowledge Management Division (KMD): Ni hao and mabuhay!. Welcome to the Philippines. PhilSCAT, specifically this Division, is pleased and honored with your presence and working together, to further develop and modernize our local farming system. We Filipinos have a popular adage which runs, “ang pagsasabi ng tapat ay pagsasama ng maluwag”, (roughly translated as “honest words lead to better relationship”). Thus, we have a few questions which we expect honest answer from you as a team. First, how do you feel and foresee the implementation of PhilSCAT-TCP II? Chinese Experts’ Team (CET) : Due to project approval procedures, PhilSCAT TCP II was slightly delayed based on the original implementation plan. As mostly likely more difficulties await us in the future implementation of Phase II, yet we firmly believe the collaborative effort of Philippine and Chinese experts will pull through the hard time and ensure the all-round success of TCP II. Our confidence comes from the following aspects: First, a solid foundation was laid for Phase II by the success of TCP I, which means we have more perceptiveness in terms of work idea, cooperation and goal achievement for more unhindered and efficient implementation. Second, after a decade’s exploration and operation, PhilSCAT has become more matured in internal management and external partnership to establish an excellent social image evidenced by the acceptance of PH & CN governments and the benefit endowed to local people. Therefore, the implementation will be likely a familiar work with ease, which is enlightened with more help. Third, TCP II is with more advanced technology and development potential. On the basis of mechanized hybrid rice development, biogas will be a brand new breakthrough which will further benefit local people. The commercialization of hybrid rice is with great potential and willed brilliance to Phase II’s splendor Fourth, professional and diligent PH & CN experts and staff are the important basis for successful implementation of TCP II. With rich project management experience, Dr. Emmanuel V. Sicat and Mr. Cheng Liangji are good friends and workmates in harmonious relation for many years. With the common directions of the Director and Co-Director and the collaborative effort of PH & CN experts, TCP II will for sure gain its due prestige. Fifth, PH & CN executing agencies and lead implementing agencies’ great support and partners’ close cooperation are the important assurance for Phase II. The strong support in terms of budget, policy and technology we can get from all units will no doubt contribute to the fulfillment of the project. From the above, Chinese expert team is fully confident on the successful implementation of TCP II. KMD: What can you say about Phase II development strategy of promoting mechanized bybrid rice and biogas technologies? What do you think are the advantages of selecting these commodities over other areas of agriculture? CET: The well-established development strategy of TCP II is in accordance with the actual conditions and objective demand. As TCP I reached remarkable results in mechanization, hybrid rice new variety cultivation, breeding, seed production, technology introduction, demonstration and promotion, Phase II will continue the persistence on the above aspects, while hybrid rice commercialization will be the key point to expand influence of hybrid rice in PH and to benefit more local people, which is not only the requirement of both governments, but also the demand of people. New biogas technology is a bright spot with outstanding cost and eco-efficiency, as well as great application perspective in urban and rural area in PH. Among most of agricultural areas, mechanization and hybrid rice technology are the key factors for grain yield and are also the target plan with high feasibility of localization. Utilization of Chinese technological advantage in the two areas will contribute to organic combination of technology introduction and localization to accelerate benefit production for project areas and surrounding areas. New biogas technology sub-project is brought by our active project-expansion strategy, which will serve as a practical and cost-effective method to solve the energy shortage issue and to facilitate eco-friendly development. KMD: How will you describe the role of PhilSCAT- II in improving the relationship between the Philippines and China? CET: PhilSCAT TCP II will continue to play the roles of “bridge” and “bond” between China and the Philippines on the basis of TCP I. During the implementation of TCP I, Chinese and Philippine experts of civil engineering, hybrid rice and agro-machinery took full advantage of PhilSCAT as a platform and spared no effort to actively contribute to the development of PhilSCAT and benefiting local people. PhilSCAT has facilitated several bilateral cooperation programs: long-term interscholastic cooperation between Hunan Agricultural University and Central Luzon State University/Nueva Vizcaya State University respectively; Investment from Longping High-Tech and Beidahuang etc. to establish corporate enterprise with local companies; Long-term cooperation between CN Shandong Changlin Machinery Group Co., Ltd. and PH Super Trade Enterprises; Establishment of vegetable and fruiter seed breeding center in Nueva Ecija invested by Chinese Embassy to the Philippines and China Ministry of Agriculture and co-research on Philippine-Sino vegetables. TCP II will undoubtedly continue its role-playing by cultivating more professional and technical personnel for PH and facilitating deep understanding between two peoples to contribute to bilateral relationship actively. Since the arrival of Chinese experts on March 15, Chinese and Philippine experts and professors have been able to facilitate more cooperation programs: CLSU established long-term strategic partnership with Longping High-Tech and interscholastic cooperation with Hunan Biological &Electromechanical Polytechnics; Mr. Aldo, the agro-machinery expert in PhilSCAT, were able to attend DCTC Technical Training in Beijing, China for more than 1 month hosted by China Ministry of Commerce. We believe, based on the co-effort of Philippine and Chinese experts, TCP II will further play the roles of “bridge” and “bond” to push forward the bilateral friendship. KMD: Some global analysts say China shall be the next world’s super-power? What can you say about this, and how will this affect your relationship with the Philippines? CET: As Chinese, we feel sincerely happy to see the prosperity of our country and the improvement of people’s quality of life. In an age of globalization, economic development is in close connection with bilateral or multilateral relationships. The development of China will facilitate the economic connection with more countries in the world, and so is the situation of Sino-Philippines relationship. We believe the economic development and cooperation of two countries will further the exchange and communication of more personnel and culture. Confucianism has been deeply rooted in Chinese’s mind, and his great lines like, “The benevolent loves others” and, “Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you” are the reflection of nation’s focus on friendship and mutual affection. As agricultural experts, we are not qualified to predict the bilateral relationship from political point of view. What we believe is one of the most fundamental elements of “super-power” is economic development, which will no doubt bring more bilateral or multilateral economic and cultural cooperation, leading to closer connection and deeper mutual understanding. China was adopting “Friendly Nations” foreign policies even if in Tang Dynasty, the most powerful and prosperous in China’s history. Therefore, we have no idea about whether China is becoming so-called “super-power”, but the development will exert more positive influence than negative aspects to Sino-Philippine relationship. KMD: One of the hottest issue of the day is the much-contested Scarborough (aka Pag-asa) Shoal standoff. Do you think it will affect the implementation of PhilSCAT-II? Why or why not? CET: “There is no everlasting friend, no everlasting enemy, there is only everlasting interest.”—This is the everlasting bilateral principle. Throughout Sino-Philippines bilateral history, there have been diplomatic frictions sometimes, which could not yet and will not change the mainstream—faster development and closer connection of two countries. As we are not able to predict the current political influence on implementation of TCP II, we truly hope and will spare no effort to assure that the project can be successfully completed. KMD: This is the final question, and you are free to say anything you want to convey to our (PhilSCAT Newsletter) readers. What can you say about your stay here in the Philippines? In your host university, the Central Luzon State University ? Describe your other expectations of your stint here in PhilSCAT, your home away from home. Xie xie. CET: We are sincerely grateful for the warm reception and meticulous care from you as we are very happy here! We can feel the harmonious atmosphere like a big family. Moreover, we would like to express our appreciation to Philippine colleagues for your professional capability and dedication! English capability is the weak point for Chinese experts, so we wish to have more and deeper communication with PH colleagues to improve our English level and more importantly, to work more efficiently in the future; meanwhile, we suggest having more recreational and sports activities for physical exercise on one hand and for harmonization of our relationship. Finally, we truly wish that Philippine and Chinese experts and staff can fully enjoy themselves working together, and PhilSCAT can make greater contribution to the local people. May our friendship and Philippine-Sino relationship last forever! (End of Interview)