Duterte Invites China to Enter Philippine Mobile-Phone Market

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has invited Chinese companies to take a role in the country’s wireless communications industry to add a third carrier to compete with PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc.

Duterte offered China the right to operate in the Philippines during his bilateral talks with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang last week, Duterte spokesman Harry Roque told reporters in Manila Monday. No specific Chinese company has been invited, while the government is waiting for Chinese telecom carriers to submit proposals, Roque said. Representatives from Li’s office could not be immediately reached for comment.