PH-China economic ties siniraan ng US; Beijing rumesbak

PH-China economic ties siniraan ng US; Beijing rumesbak

March 11, 2023 @ 11:03 AM 2 weeks ago


MANILA, Philippines – Sinita ng Chinese Embassy sa Maynila ang Washington DC dahil sa paninira sa economic relations ng China sa Pilipinas.

Ang pahayag na ito ay tugon sa lumabas na ulat kung saan kinukuwestiyon ni State Department Undersecretary Victoria Nuland kung talagang aktuwal na nakalikha ng hanapbuhay para sa mga Filipino ang pangako ng Beijing sa nakaraan.

“China and the Philippines are natural partners for the geographical proximity, close kinship, and complementary advantages,” ayon sa embahada ng Tsina.

“In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China and the Philippines have deepened the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the ‘Build, Build, Build’ and ‘Build Better More’ programs of the Philippines,” dagdag na wika nito.

Idagdag pa, napansin din na ang iba’t ibang government-to-government cooperation projects at ang kamakailan lamang na nilagdaang kasunduan sa pagitan ng Beijing at Maynila sa agrikultura, pangisdaan, finance, customs, e-commerce, tourism, at iba pa.

Idinagdag pa ng embahada na ang pag- export ng sariwang Philippine durian sa China ay inaasahan na makalilikha ng 10,000 direct at indirect job opportunities sa “farming, packing at logistics chain” sa Pilipinas.

“Since (President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s) state visit many Chinese business delegations are coming to the Philippines, reaching extensive agreements on expanding trade and investment cooperation between the two countries, demonstrating the huge potential and broad prospects of China-Philippines practical cooperation,” ayon sa embahada.

Hanggang sa umabot sa usapin ng lumalagong defense cooperation sa pagitan ng US at Pilipinas, lalo na ang sinabi ni Nuland na ang access ng Washington DC sa apat pang EDCA ay makapagdadala ng “economic opportunities, jobs” sa kanilang host communities.

“Such cooperation will seriously endanger regional peace and stability and drag the Philippines into the abyss of geopolitical strife and damage its economic development at the end of the day,” ayon pa rin sa embahada.

Sa kabilang dako, sinabi naman ni US Embassy spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay na ang commitment o pangako ng Washington DC para ipagtanggol ang Pilipinas ay nananatiling “ironclad” at maipagpapatuloy nito na palakasin ang kanilang “economic at investment relationship.”

“My only response to the PRC (People’s Republic of China) statement is to repeat what we have said for some time: The United States and the Philippines enjoy an alliance and partnership based on deep historical, economic, and cultural ties, and our shared democratic values,” anito sabay sabing “The United States and the Philippines stand together as friends, partners, and allies.”

Nauna rito, sinabi ng Department of Foreign Affairs na sina Nuland at Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo ay nagpulong noong Marso 6 at tinalakay ang mga kaganpan sa West Philippines Sea habang sinisipat mabuti ang mga plano para sa nalalapit na US-Philippines defense at foreign ministerial meeting. Kris Jose