Philippines pushes deals with Chinese company blacklisted by US

Manila says it is 'not a vassal state' and needs Chinese money for infrastructure

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte attends a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacanang on Aug. 31. (Photo courtesy of the Presidential Communications Operations Office)

CLIFF VENZON, Nikkei staff writer

September 1, 2020 19:43 JST

Updated on September 1, 2020 20:29 JST

MANILA -- The Philippines will push ahead with infrastructure projects backed by Chinese companies that have been blacklisted by the U.S., President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesperson said on Tuesday.

State-owned China Communications Construction Company has faced fresh scrutiny in the Philippines after its subsidiaries were among those sanctioned by Washington last week for their role in Beijing's reclamation and militarization of disputed areas of the South China Sea.