Philippines Cancels Loans After China ‘Backed Out’ of Railway Deals

Then Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte speaks at Villamor Air Base in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines, on Feb. 28, 2021. Eloisa Lopez/Reuters

Three major railway projects in the Philippines have been stalled after China “backed out” of agreements it struck with former President Rodrigo Duterte, a Philppine government official said on Friday.

Transportation Undersecretary Cesar Chavez said that China did not respond to Manila’s loan applications for the three railway projects submitted last year, so they are now considered “withdrawn.”