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The Beijing government continues to regard the
Philippines as a friendly country, despite the ZTE investigation and
the campaign to attack the quality of Chinese goods. The Chinese are
looking at the bigger picture of a relationship that started in
1975.
If you listen to the ZTE
investigation in the Senate, it is China that is being attacked.
After all ZTE is not just a corporation of China. It is owned by the
state, hence its actions are eventually traceable to state acts. And
yet, China does not react negatively.
What do we hear from China? From
the Middle Kingdom’s envoy here: “With frequent exchange of
visits by leaders of the two countries, the China-Philippine trade
and economic cooperation has been surging in recent years, the
China-Philippines relations are at its golden era.
“As a friendly neighbor,
China is ready to provide affordable assistance for the Philippines
’s economic and social development. I feel that friendship and
mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the Philippines is
an irresistible trend,” says Ambassador Song Tao.
The Chinese statement never
referred to the ZTE deal whose investigation had complicated to the
point of almost destroying the ties of both countries. The
temperature of the relationship increased when a senator accused the
Chinese of having invented corruption.
Of course, the relationship is
not one-sided. China also needs us. As China aims for superpower
status, it will have to resolve its long-standing problem with its
breakaway province across the dangerous straits. And in this goal of
reunification, China will need the support of Asian countries, which
includes the Philippines.
The Chinese are realistic enough
to concede that the Philippines is closer to the United States than
to any other Asian power. That is why it does not insist on trying
to replace the US as a Big Brother. China will play it moderately in
the diplomatic game, careful not to rock the boat that will upset
Uncle Sam.
Mining an issue
in barangay polls
While on vacation, I was told
that the mining claims in Sibuyan Island, Romblon, are an issue in
the barangay polls. Are you pro-mining or against mining, are the
questions being asked of candidates in towns of San Fernando, Cajidiocan
and Magdiwang. The towns surround the beautiful Mount Guiting
Guiting.
I am sure that mining will remain
an issue long after the polls. The citizens have banded together,
forming alliances around the Sibuyanons Against Mining (SAM) headed
by Mr. Rodne Galicia. Another militant NGO is being formed in Cajidiocan
headed by a parish priest and an engineer.
The provincial board is
discussing the possibility of stopping mining for six months,
pending investigation of the permits. Romblon vice-governor told me
that a resolution is being prepared for implementation by the
governor and the board.
DENR Secretary Lito Atienza has
already stopped the cutting of trees in the mining areas. This is a
creative way of stopping mining that is covered by a permit for
small-scale mining. How can you have mining if you don’t cut
trees? Now, the big-scale mining firms like Australian-based
Pelikan Mines cannot engage in big-scale mining without going back
to the DENR which is the only agency empowered to give permits for
big mining operations.
The politics in Sibuyan has
changed considerably. Today, what will make or unmake a politician
in this sleepy island is one’s stand on mining. You support
mining—and you perish politically. You support the protection of
Mount Guiting Guiting and your political fortunes will flourish.
Lack of ships hits Romblon,
Boracay
The failure of MBRS Shipping to
field its two ships to Romblon and Boracay has hit trade and tourism
in some parts of MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan—note,
Palawan no longer included). Passengers told me that for some months
now, ships Virgin Mary and Mary the Queen have not sailed.
These ships bring tourists to
Boracay, while passing by the commercial town of Odiongan, Romblon.
Since the ships stopped sailing, passengers to Romblon board the
ships moored in Batangas port.
The result is overcrowding in
ships owned by Montenegro, to the discomfort of the people, not to
mention possible danger to travel.
Perhaps the President should take
a look at the workings of the nautical highway concept that was
implemented to make sure that trade and travel are not hampered by
internal problems of shipping lines. If the MBRS cannot travel, they
should say so. They should be replaced by other lines like the
Aboitiz and the Moreta which are based in North and South Harbors.
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