My youngest sister, Nancy, is a geologist who took her MBA at Rice University in Texas. One thing I remember she told me at the time of her studies there is very appropriate nowadays that Filipinos are having a heavy problem with China that claims ownership over most of South China Sea, including areas that legally belong to the Philippines.
Nancy once mentioned that one of her professors was a Chinese-American lady who began her first day of class by asking her students who among them were interested in doing business with China, that time undoubtedly the most attractive country to do business with because of its cheap labor and great incentives offered to foreign investors. The professor reportedly said in a very prominent Chinese accent: “You should know that China welcomes world investors, but you must also be aware that China wants you to answer this question -- ‘What can you do for China?’”
I realize that this very important question seems to be the hidden agenda behind China’s strategy towards conquering the world: offering economic development assistance, providing grants, financial help in infrastructure building, etc. China’s art of war needs no guns, rockets, or missiles to subjugate a country in need of economic help. In addition, China is a master in courting high officials in government to “partner” with their government. I, as a former government employee in the Philippines, knew and read many investigation reports about Filipino officials receiving bribes from mainland Chinese agents in order to get approvals of projects that would benefit China mostly.
So “What can you for China?” Say “Yes” to its needs and wants, as part of its goal of dominating the world.
The Philippines is now facing harassment from China, since Filipinos under the new president, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., refuse to cede areas in the South China Sea considered to be the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). During the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, China was able to occupy a number of the Philippines’ shoals, reclaimed them and turned them into military installations and/or governmental units. It was Duterte who even said publicly that the Philippines’ win at the International Arbitration Court (declaring China’s 9 dash line illegal) was just a piece of paper. Unfortunately, Duterte is not alone…he has pro-China friends in the Philippine Senate and other agencies of government. I just don’t believe that no money is involved in such an anti-Filipino stance. Duterte even jokingly said that the Philippines could be a Chinese province! And recently, he visited China’s president, Xi Jing Ping, without Marcos’ knowing it!
President Bongbong Marcos’ foreign policy is the opposite of Duterte’s, because Marcos opened our doors to our traditional ally, the United States. The Mutual Defense Treaty between the U.S. and the Philippines has been revived and as a result, EDCA (Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement) sites have been constructed in several strategic locations around the Philippines amid the opposition and angry pronouncements of China. While Marcos said these EDCA sites will be utilized in times of natural disasters and calamities and not for military actions, it is clear that it will respond in defense of the country.
There have been indications that war is looming in the South China Sea. Aside from China’s admission that it will invade Taiwan anytime soon because it is part of China anyway, the Philippines will surely be involved because the U.S. is already here assisting the Philippines through military training and exercises, weaponry and constructing military sites via EDCA.
There have been several instances of harassment not only against Filipino fishermen, but also against Filipino coast guards delivering food supplies to Ayungin Shoal where BRP Sierra Madre, an old ship with a few soldiers left to guard this part of the Philippines EEZ, is located. Several Chinese PLA (People’s Liberation Army) and CCG (Chinese Coast Guard) ships have been trying to block supply boats regularly. The Philippines have lodged hundreds of diplomatic protests already to no avail. Instead, the Chinese would issue counter responses denying involvement or slap counter-charges.
As a Filipino witnessing all these things happening in my country, I feel that pretty soon the Marcos government will be fed up of the lies and denials of our supposedly Chinese “friends” and trade partners. Many businesses involving energy and telecom are owned by China. Though extremely difficult to simply expel these business “owner” as well as the Chinese diplomat and his staff, perhaps that would be the most logical step for the Philippines soon. Enough is enough! Will you allow further insult and slap on our faces by foreigners who reign over our economy and dictate on our leaders?
Filipinos welcome the United States and many other countries that have come forward to support the country in case war starts against China. We just cannot win on our own. This David cannot defeat a Goliath with enormous military assets and men, unless our allies come to our rescue. Nowadays, we are all for preparing ourselves for war. I just hope and pray that our close friends and neighbors who are Filipino-Chinese, who were born and raised here with love of our country, won’t be harmed by the locals should war begin.
