Opinion | Between a rising China and the developing Philippines, will there be war or peace?
By Augustus K. Yeung
The Lunar New Year in the Philippines draws huge crowds to one of the world's oldest Chinatowns, reported the AP. Amid cheers, dances and frolicking of firecrackers to celebrate this happy occasion, it is feared that this may not always be the case, thanks to Marcos.
This worry is prompted by a series of events that has happened between the Philippines military under Marcos Jr. since he came to power, which is a big turn and twist from President Duterte, the former leader's China-friendly foreign policy.
Judging from the recent untoward events between China's coastguards and the Philippines military, it is becoming clear that the nation under Marcos Jr. is shifting its focus to territorial from internal defense, a significant move that has now been confirmed by Manila's military chief Romeo Brawner.
Lunar New Year in Philippines Draws Crowds to One of the World's Oldest Chinatowns
Crowds are flocking to Chinatown in the Philippine capital to usher in the Year of the Wood Dragon and experience lively traditional dances on lantern-lit streets with food, lucky charms, and prayers for good fortune.
Chinese restaurants and shops in the area brimmed with festive lights and décor ahead of the Lunar New Year on Saturday, Feb.10 hoping to cash in on an influx of Chinese tourists.
Lamp post in Manila's riverside Binondo commercial district, said to be one of the oldest Chinatowns in the world, feature dragon décor with tails curled around the poles. In a crowded mall, a huge dragon hangs over selfie-taking shoppers.
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna lit a "money tree" and led a ceremony to mark what she and other officials said was the 430th founding anniversary of the Binondo district.
Dragon dances performed to the beating of drums at the event, which was capped by fireworks.
At the height of the coronavirus pandemic, business establishments large and small were forced to shut down, and Chinatown resembled a ghost town. But the huge crowds have now returned with traffic jams and parking lots crammed with SUVs. (Source: MDT/AP)
(Note: Each year is named after one of the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac in a repeating cycle. The Year of the Dragon, which will bring abundance, follows the Year of the Rabbit.)
This jovial mood is a stark contrast to the preceding problematic activities.
"Manila to develop sea-row isles", reported an English-language newspaper on January 16…
The Philippines will develop islands in the South China Sea that it considers part of the territory –to make them more inhabitable for troops. Manila's military chief Romeo Brawner said yesterday.
The plans come amid heightened tensions between Manila and Beijing, both of whom claim territory in the South China Sea and have traded accusations of aggressive behavior in the strategic waterway.
Apart from the Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin, the Philippines occupies eight other features in the South China Sea and considers them part of its exclusive economic zone.
"We'd like to improve all the nine, especially the islands we are occupying," Brawner said after attending a command conference – led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the military headquarters.
The features include Thitu island, the biggest and most strategically important. Known locally as Pag-asa, Thitu lies about 480 km west of the Philippines province of Palawan.
The military wants to bring a desalination machine for troops living aboard warship – that the Philippines deliberately grounded on Second Thomas Shoal in 1999 to assert its sovereignty claim, he said.
(Note: The Philippines and China, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam have competing claims of sovereignty in the South China Sea, a conduit for goods in excess of US$3 trillion every year.)
Also included in the military's modernization plans is the acquisition of more ships, radars and aircraft – as the Philippines shifts its focus to territorial from internal defends, Brawner said, according to Reuters.
The following day, Beijing blasts Marcos for congratulating Taiwan election winner.
China's Foreign Ministry summoned the Philippine ambassador yesterday and denounced President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s congratulatory message to the winner of Taiwan's leader election, Lai Ching-te.
Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters that Marcos's remarks "seriously violated the political commitments made by the Philippines to China and rudely interfered in China's internal affairs."
"We would like to sternly tell the Philippines not to play with fire on the Taiwan issue… and immediately stop making wrong words and deeds on Taiwan-related issues and stop sending any wrong signals to Taiwan independence and separatist forces," an unhappy Mao sternly warned.
"Philippines, Vietnam agree to cooperate on disputed waters as Marcos visits Hanoi," reported a local English-language newspaper.
The Philippines and Vietnam signed an agreement yesterday (January 30) on preventing and managing incidents in the disputed South China Sea during Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.'s visit to Hanoi…
Marcos Jr.'s trip to Hanoi may lead to nowhere, as expected. But his incessant prodding against China over the disputed shoal is damaging to the hard-earned goodwill established by former president Duterte, whose approach to China and the United States is diametrically opposed to that of the incumbent.
The Philippine should show genuine sincerity in resolving the South China Sea dispute – through dialogue and consultation with China, analysts said, noting that this Southeast Asian nation is adopting a two-sided strategy in the region, taking into consideration its domestic and international politics.
On January 27, the China Coast Guard responded to the recent airdropping of supplies by the Philippines to a stranded military ship in the South China Sea. It accused the other side of "maliciously hyping" the situation.
According to a China Coast Guard statement on Jan 21, a Philippine small plane airdropped supplies to the "illegally grounded" military ship at Ren'ai Reef. Gan Yu, a China Coast Guard spokesman, said.
For ASEAN's peace: There should be a risk control mechanism established – before the bi-lateral relations deteriorate further, or even degenerate into war.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.
To contact the writer, please direct email: AugustusKYeung@ymail.com
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