The Philippines has invited a Chinese group to set up its third major telecoms company, in a move that would end a long-running duopoly in the sector and mark a further diplomatic and commercial pivot by Manila towards Beijing.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte made the offer last week to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang as the two men presided over the signing of more than a dozen bilateral agreements between the two countries, Mr Duterte’s spokesman Harry Roque said on Monday.
“During the bilateral talks between President Duterte and the Chinese premier, President Duterte offered to the People’s Republic of China the privilege to operate the third telecoms carrier in the country,” Mr Roque said.