China has done a lot in regional economic integration: Philippine official

China has done more than what is expected from it in the Asia-Pacific regional economic integration and should be congratulated for its role in strengthening the Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) as a regional forum, according to a senior Philippine official in an exclusive interview with Xinhua on Wednesday.[Special coverage]

Laura Q. Del Rosario, undersecretary of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, said China has introduced many initiatives concerning economy, innovation and regional integration and China has done a very good job.

The interview was conducted shortly before the 22nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting slated for Nov. 10-11 in Beijing.

A strong Philippine delegation led by President Benigno Aquino III will attend the meeting. "It will be a bit more exciting for us because the Philippines will host the 2015 APEC summit in Manila," said Del Rosario.

In the interview, Del Rosario emphasized the importance of infrastructure development in the Philippines and infrastructure connectivity for the Asia- Pacific region in order to further enhance economic growth and attract investments.

"We will solve congestion problem in the Port of Manila, and continue pushing forward public-private partnership (PPP) on infrastructure development projects," Del Rosario said, adding that the Philippines is working extra hard to make it easier for foreign investors to do business in the country.

On Oct. 24, the Philippines signed in Beijing the Memorandum of Understanding on Establishing Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank among 20 other nations in the region.

"If we have shown our confidence in China's leadership, that means we know China will provide a good way for everybody to be included in infrastructure connectivity," said Del Rosario.

She said that as an archipelago, the Philippines is not connected to any country in the region through railways or roads. "So the country can only engage in trade with its neighbors in the region through shipping."

Apart from the regional economic cooperation, Del Rosario also stressed the importance of cultural and educational exchanges among the countries in the region.

"It's exciting to watch Chinese artists performing acrobatics, dancing and the Peking Opera in the Philippines. We hope to be able to introduce some of our own traditional performing arts to China. The two peoples will understand each other better this way, " she said.

She added that APEC members are working on a scholarship program that will enable one million university students to study across the borders in the Asia-Pacific region.

In the Philippines, two universities have already expressed interests in receiving students from other APEC members and sending students abroad. The Philippine government will also reach out to more than ten universities in the near future to implement the academic exchange program.

"Sometimes when things are complicated, it is the people who will solve the complication," Del Rosario said. She said this is the reason why the APEC members should promote people-to-people connectivity.