PH among 20 countries seeking to talk with China on UNGA sidelines

The Philippines is among 20 countries seeking to talk with China on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Chino Gaston reported Wednesday on 24 Oras.

Despite the ongoing dispute in the West Philippine Sea that has led to several incidents between China and the Philippines, Manila is not closing its doors to diplomatic and economic relations with Beijing.

In a study conducted by US-based thinktank AidData, the Philippines can benefit from China’s large export market, infrastructure financing and foreign aid.

However, the Philippines must scrutinize the loans and projects offered by China that may affect national security and the environment such as ongoing dam and reclamation projects in the country.

“It is not in the Philippines' interest to entirely decouple the dealing with China. Your negotiation hand is stronger when you have more people around the table so you should be working with the US, China and Australia. Get these folks to compete with each other to get the best deal possible,” said Samantha Custer, AidData policy analysis director.

The Philippines is among the 20 countries that plan to talk with China in the upcoming summit at the sidelines of UNGA in New York City on September 22.

According to Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez, the Philippines aims to send China a message that not only the Philippines but other countries disapprove of the superpower’s dangerous actions in the West Philippine Sea.

Surveillance conducted by the Philippine Navy showed that 207 Chinese vessels are in the West Philippine Sea, including one research and survey ship.

The PN noted that this is the largest number of Chinese Coast Guard, navy, and militia ships recorded this year.

“We are still trying to assess why there is an increase in number in Iroquois or Rosul reef. however, we could state that for Sabina or Escoda, it's because of the extra attention that we have given to that particular shoal,” said Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippines Sea.

However, he added that this is not something that Filipinos should be alarmed of as the Philippine Navy is standing firm that the presence of Chinese vessels within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines is illegal.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News