India, 2023-2024

October 30, 2024: Peace between India and China starting to take Shape

Finally, PEACE between India and China as both Sides have nearly completed the withdrawal of Troops and dismantling of Temporary Structures like Guard Posts in the Ladakh Region where their Troops once faced off. 

The two Countries agreed to a new Patrolling Agreement recently where they agreed on Areas where they could conduct their Patrols. Both Sides also agreed to inform each other of the Movements of their Patrols as Part of a "Confidence-building" Effort. 

Also part of their Agreement was to keep Lines of Communications open at all Levels to prevent any Negative Incidents. 

Here is the Link to the Article on The Straits Times Website: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/india-china-have-nearly-finished-removing-troops-guard-posts-from-friction-points-along-disputed 

SOURCE: India, China nearly done removing Troops, Guard Posts from Friction Points of Disputed Border {Archived Link}

October 24, 2024: India moving away from the US and closer to China

Go, India!!! Ha-ha-ha ... India and China did noticeably agree to settle their Border Disputes recently. This is an excellent Article, everyone should read it. For one it says that one of the main Reasons for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi now seemingly moving closer to China is because of the failure of the United States (US) to provide Investments to India, particularly under the Administration of US President Joe Biden. 

US Companies, in fact, has been exiting India instead, and Apple Incorporated's initial attempt to produce iPhones in India have ended up a Failure due to Quality Control Issues. India also felt that they were not being treated as an equal Ally of the US but more of a Subordinate (like how the US is treating the Philippines now). 

Meanwhile, despite India making a lot of Restrictions on Chinese Trade, trade between them and China continued to grow, so now it seems that Modi realized the Economic Benefits of siding with China. The US also has been putting a lot of Pressure on India to drop Russia which, of course, India doesn’t want to do. 

And also of course Russia is a major Ally of China. So what now for the US and their Filipino Subordinates, now that the US is losing another key Ally while China is gaining it? LOL

Here is the Link to the Article at the Asia Times Website: https://asiatimes.com/2024/10/why-modis-shifting-away-from-us-toward-china

SOURCE: Why Modi’s shifting India away from US toward China {Archived Link}

September 12, 2024: India offers Philippines co-Development and co-Production of Military Equipment

India's Defense Secretary Giridhad Aramane recently invited the Philippines to co-develop and co-produce various Military Equipment during the fifth Meeting of the India-Philippines Joint Defence Cooperation Committee that was held in the Philippines. 

No other Details were made though on which specific Military Equipment these will be for. Among the other Countries which the Philippines has bought from recently in Terms of Military Equipment, only Israel has agreed to do something like this, with their Shaldag Mk V Vessels. 

So far South Korea which the Philippines has brought a lot from recently doesn't seem to have made a similar initiative, it seems that they are pretty protective of their Defense Industry. Hopefully seeing India do this will make them come up with their own offers also.

Here is the Link to the Article at the Deccan Herald Website: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/india-invites-philippines-to-partner-with-indian-industry-in-co-development-of-military-hardware-3186754 

SOURCE: India invites Philippines to Partner with Indian Industry in co-Development of Military Hardware {Archived Link}

June 30, 2023: India offers generous Loan Terms to the Philippines for Defence Purchases from them

India’s Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar recently reiterated to the Philippines’ Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo their Line of Credit Offer for the purchase of Defense Items from them by the Philippines. 

India is offering only a 1.75% Interest Rate with a Moratorium of five Years (I assume this will be the first five Years after the Loan), and then a 20 Year Payment Period. India did not specify the amount of the Loan they are offering, though, saying only that it “depends on the Philippines’ requirements”. 

This could mean they are open to large amounts, or will just negotiate per Contract how much the Loan will be. I think they should’ve at least clarified the Loan Amount so there will be no “Surprises” when the Negotiations start

SOURCE: India reiterates Loan offer for PH defense Modernization {Archived Link}

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OUR SEA NEIGHBORS: Malaysia, 2024

October 18, 2024: Malaysia could earn up to Usd 7 billion from Chinese Tourists by 2025

Malaysia is now in the Top 10 most visited Countries by Chinese Travelers, thanks to its relaxed Visa Regulations for Chinese Tourists. 

The Promotion of so-called "Xin-Ma-Tai" Route or Singapore-Malaysia-Thailand Route also made travel easier for Chinese Tourists where they can enter thru Singapore before proceeding to Malaysia and Thailand. 

Malaysia is expected to earn as much as Myr 30 billion, or Usd 7 billion from Chinese Tourist spending by next Year of 2025. Remember that Malaysia also has Territorial Disputes with China in the South China Sea (SCS), but that has not kept them from actively engaging with China. 

Here is the Link to the Article at the Travel and Tour World (TTW) Website: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/malaysia-targets-new-rm30-billion-in-chinese-tourist-spending-by-2025-via-xin-ma-tai-route-boosting-travel-from-singapore-and-thailand/

SOURCE: Malaysia Targets New RM30 Billion in Chinese Tourist Spending by 2025 via Xin-Ma-Tai Route, Boosting Travel from Singapore and Thailand {Archived Link}

October 13, 2024: Malaysian Group highly appreciates Xinjiang in China after visit

A Group consisting of two dozen Malaysian Citizens recently went on a 10 Day Tour of the Province in Xinjiang in China. Xinjiang is one of China's biggest Provinces, taking up around 1/6th of the entire Land Mass of China. 

It has a Population of 23 million People divided into 40 Ethnic Minorities. The Malaysians appreciated the Province's mixture of Modernity and Culture, with its Highways, Expressways and Bullet Train, but also has scenic Mountain and Lake Views, and a varied Architectural Structures. 

Note that Malaysia also has Territorial Disputes with China, but this has not kept the Malaysians from having close ties with China.

Here is the Link to the Article at The Star Website: https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/travel/2024/10/13/the-beauty-of-xinjiang-as-experienced-by-this-malaysian

SOURCE: Malaysian Traveller is amazed by the Beauty of Xinjiang, China {Archived Link}

OUR SEA NEIGHBORS: Vietnam, 2024

October 30, 2024: Vietnamese Government Officials ask Chinese Company to build their Bullet Train

Another set of Vietnamese Government Officials have asked another Chinese Company to help them build their High-Speed Railway (HSR) or "Bullet Train" Network. 

Led by Nguyen Ngoc Canh, the Vice Chairman of Vietnam's State Capital Management Committee, the Vietnamese Officials asked one of China's biggest Construction Companies, the "China State Construction (CSCEC)" to help their Country build their Bullet Trains which will run through 20 Provinces and Cities of Vietnam. 

The Project will cost Usd 67.3 billion and will have 23 Passenger Stations and five Freight Stations. Once completed, it will only be the second Bullet Train in the South East Asian (SEA) Region, with the first one in Indonesia which was inaugurated last Year of 2023 and which was also built by China. 

Here is the Link to the Article at the “Construction Briefing” Website: https://www.constructionbriefing.com/news/vietnam-discusses-construction-of-us673-billion-high-speed-railway-with-chinas-biggest-contractor/8039944.article

SOURCE: Vietnam discusses construction of US$67.3 billion High-Speed Railway with China’s biggest Contractor {Archived Link}

October 22, 2024: Chery finally granted License to construct an Usd 800 million Factory in Vietnam

The Chinese State-owned Vehicle Manufacturer Chery Automobile has finally received a Registration License to construct an Usd 800 million Factory in the Province of Thai Binh in Vietnam. 

Chery is partnering with the Vietnamese Company Geleximco for the Venture. The Factory, once completed, will initially produce Petrol Vehicles before producing Plug In Hybrid Vehicles (PIHV) also. 

In the meantime while the Factory is being completed, Chery will be marketing to Vietnam it's Omodo C5 Vehicle which is currently being made in Indonesia. 

Here is the Link to the Article at “The Investor Vafie Magazine” Website: https://theinvestor.vn/chinese-automaker-chery-licensed-to-invest-800-mln-in-vietnam-d12990.html 

SOURCE: Chinese Automaker Chery licensed to invest $800 mln in Vietnam {Archived Link}

China vs. the United States of America (USA), 2024

A composite Image of the Flags of China and the US, original Images from Wikimedia Commons

September 3, 2024: US losing Ground to China in most of SEA 

Here is a nice, long Article on the “Foreign Affairs” Website talking about how the United States (US) is losing Ground to China in most Countries in South East Asia (SEA) in Terms of Influence. I suggest everybody read it, you can find the Link below. In the meantime, here are some selected Excerpts from the Article itself: 

* “In the Poll this Year, the Majority of Respondents picked China over the United States when asked whom ASEAN should align with if forced to choose between the two. This was the first time Respondents picked China since the Survey began posing this question in 2020.”

* “In its 2020 Survey—the first Year that the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute asked Respondents “If ASEAN were forced to align itself with one of the Strategic Rivals, which should it choose?”—50.2 percent chose the United States, compared with 49.8 percent who chose China, when responses are adjusted (as they have been since the 2022 poll) to ensure that the responses of each Country are represented by equal proportion. In 2023, 61 percent of Respondents chose the United States compared with 39 percent who chose China, although the United States fared below the overall average in Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, and Thailand. In the 2024 Survey, however, China edged past the United States as the Region’s choice of alignment Partner: 50.5 percent of Respondents chose China, and 49.5 percent chose the United States.”

* “Breaking down this Year’s result by Country shows that since the 2023 poll, the United States has lost the most ground to China among Respondents in Laos (a 30 percentage point decline), Malaysia (a 20 percentage point decline), Indonesia (a 20 percentage point decline), Cambodia (an 18 percentage point decline), and Brunei (a 15 percentage point decline). The United States has also lost ground in Myanmar and Thailand (10 and 9 percentage point declines, respectively).”

* “Western Media Outlets often carry Reports about the Debt Traps associated with China’s Belt and Road Initiative. But BRI Projects are generally welcomed in Southeast Asia for the growth and development potential they offer the recipient Country. One high-ranking Diplomat from the Region pronounced it a Model for how to win “Hearts and Minds.” In January, I traveled to Laos, where the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat was taking place in Luang Prabang, the Country’s Cultural and Spiritual Center. There were no Signs of competition for Influence between China and the United States; Chinese Influence alone pervaded People’s daily Lives. Residents of Luang Prabang spoke positively of the boost to local Businesses since April 2023, when a BRI-affiliated Railway running through the City and connecting Laos to China opened fully.”

Here is the Link to the Article on the “Foreign Affairs” Website: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/america-losing-southeast-asia 

SOURCE: America Is Losing Southeast Asia {Archived Link} 

July 30, 2024: “China-Philippines ties may improve, as long as US stops interfering” Article at GT

Philippine Political Observer Herman Tiu Laurel wrote an Article for the Chinese “Global Times (GT)” News Publication recently titled, “China-Philippines ties may improve, as long as US stops interfering”. Here are some selected Excerpts from that Article:  

* “It should be noted that Tensions between China and the Philippines began in early 2023, when retired US Air Force Colonel Raymond Powell, with the help of the US Office of Naval Research, conceived a "Cognitive Warfare" Operation known as "Project Myoushu."”

* “The Modus Operandi was to provoke Deterrent or Police Action from the China Coast Guard. Philippine Coast Guard Vessels or privately hired Ships attempted to smuggle prohibited Materials or violate Fish Sanctuaries, which are restricted for Conservation Purposes. These Philippine Vessels also transported Western and Filipino Media to film, report, and denounce China's actions as "Bullying."”

* “Powell, the Chief of the US Project Myoushu, openly admits that the Aim of his operation is to exact reputational costs on China and generate international support for the Philippine Cause. However, both Efforts have failed. According to the State of Southeast Asia 2024 survey, compiled by the Singapore-based ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in April, over half of Southeast Asians now prefer to align with China rather than the US. ASEAN Member Countries are critical of the Philippines' unilateral and disruptive Activities.”

Here is the Link to the Article at the GT Website: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202407/1317027.shtml

SOURCE: China-Philippines ties may improve, as long as US stops interfering {Archived Link}

The President Bong Bong Marcos (PBBM) Presidency, 2024

October 21, 2024: BBM PPP Projects that were added, Removed and for Implementation

Buried under this Headline of a News Article are the Projects that the Bong Bong Marcos (BBM) Administration has added, removed and for implementation already using the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Program. So let me just summarize it better here for future Reference:

* Those that were ADDED were: 

- Design, Build, Finance, Operate the Air Navigation Services (Air Traffic Service and Air Navigation Service (Php 29.82 billion)

- Food and Drug License and Clearance System worth (Php 16 million)

- Combined 17MW Upper Sampaloc and 8MW Lower Sampaloc Hydroelectric Power (Php 7.21 billion)

- Santiago City Hemodialysis Center (Php 36 million)

- Operations and Maintenance of Pampanga Dialysis Centers (Php 73 million)

- Operation and Maintenance of Palayan City Hospital (Php 6 million)

- PRA Digitalization (Php 32 million)

- Iloilo Bulk Water Supply Project (Php 8.45 billion)

- San Juan-Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (Php 1.47 billion)

A number of these Projects that were added had something to do with Hospitals. 

Meanwhile, some of the Projects that were DELISTED are as follows: 

- Metro Cebu Expressway (Php 97 billion)

- Financing, Upgrade, Design and Development, and Operation and Maintenance of the Philippine Identification System

- Road Transport IT Infrastructure Project Phase II

- Pangasinan-Nueva Ecija Expressway

- Dingalan-Capas-Botolan Expressway

- Mindoro-Batangas Super Bridge (Floating Bridge)

- Pacific Eastern Seaboard Expressway (Luzon Eastern Seaboard)

- Infanta-Atimonan Segment

- Criminology Firing Range

- Development of the Former Manila Seedling Site Project

- Underground Cabling Project Phase 1

- City College Canteen

As we can see, many of the Projects that were delisted were Expressways and one Bridge. It remains to be seen if these will be funded by other Means, particularly by Foreign Loans, but if not then these will be delayed for the remainder of BBM’s Term. 

Now those for IMPLEMENTATION already as of now are:

- Philippine Economic Zone Authority Central System Project (Php 25 million) 

- La Mesa Parkways, now known as the North Luzon East Expressway (Php 15.1 billion)

Notice how the Philippine Press is spinning these Projects since they want the current Pro-United States (US) and Anti-China, they only highlighted the Positive Side of the News instead of focusing on the many Infrastructure Projects that were delisted and that only a few Projects are up for implementation as of this time.

Here is the Link to the Article at MSN Website: https://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/other/23-more-projects-added-to-ppp-pipeline/ar-AA1sBlZ1

SOURCE: 23 more Projects added to PPP Pipeline {Archived Link} 

October 11, 2024: Extended Semi-Leave, October 11, 2024 

I think I will go on an Extended Semi-Leave for now, I will only Post whenever I like, and probably only Videos, unless I feel otherwise, LOL. This is because for one, I am getting a little busy nowadays with something else that needs more focus of my time. 

Second, I admit I have been extremely, extremely disillusioned by the ongoing Political Events in our Country right now. This is still supposed to be under the Extension of the Duterte Administration’s time, but the exact opposite has happened, thanks to the betrayal of those Drug Addicts in Malacanang. 

As I a result, I can’t post what I always wanted to post, especially about Geopolitcs, and now has to constantly end up battling Troll Armies from Shadow Banning my Page. It gets a bit tiresome, and demoralizing since their Benefactors are the ones in Power now so they have a lot of Resources and Power. 

Also as I have mentioned in other Posts, it is getting a bit dangerous now for ordinary People who support Digong Duterte and his Policies, the Oligarchs are tightening their Noose around Society using their Social Syndicates to ensure that it remains Anti-Duterte, Pro-United States (US) and Anti-China. 

China and the World, 2023-2024

August 7, 2024: China remains as the World’s Top Vehicle Exporter in the first Half of 2024

China remained as the World's largest Vehicle Exporter in the first half of this Year of 2024 since surpassing Japan last Year of 2023. Chinese Automakers exported 2.793 million Vehicles worth Usd 55.2 billion from January to June of 2024 compared to only 2.0177 million by Japan. 

China’s dominance may go down though as Chinese Vehicle Manufacturers like BYD and Chery are now building Factories in Europe to localize the Production of their Vehicles there.

Here is the Link to the Article at the “Shine” Website: https://www.shine.cn/biz/auto/2408077697/

SOURCE: China remains World's top Auto Exporter after surpassing Japan {Archived Link}

February 26, 2024: China beats the US to be the Number One Diplomatic Power in the World

China is now the Number one Diplomatic Power in the World ahead of the United States (US), this according to the 2024 Global Diplomatic Index Report made by the Lowy Institute which is based in Australia. 

The Report based this on the number of Diplomatic Postings that a Country has around the World, and China leads this with 274 Posts while the US which came in second only had 271. China reportedly has the edge over the US in Africa, East Asia, the Pacific Island Nations and Central Asia. 

Here is the Link to the Article at the Newsweek Website: https://www.newsweek.com/china-worlds-no-1-diplomatic-power-ahead-us-report-shows-1873085

SOURCE: China ss the World's No. 1 Diplomatic Power, Ahead of the US, Report shows {Archived Link}

China vs. the United States of America (USA), 2023

A composite Image of the Flags of China and the US, original Images from Wikimedia Commons

December 21, 2023: US and China resumes direct Military to Military Talks

While Philippine Government Officials under the Bong Bong Marcos (BBM) Administration continue to insist on talking Trash against China in Public, the Philippines' supposed "Ally" the United States (US) has restarted direct Military to Military Talks with China. 

This was as per the Agreement between Chinese President Xi Jinping with US President Joe Biden during Xi’s visit to the US last Month of November 2023. The Meeting was made by the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Q. Brown and the Chief of the Joints Staff Department of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Liu Zhenli. 

It has been more than a Year since the two Sides had any direct Military Talks, China decided to cut it off back in August of last Year of 2022 when the then Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan. Looks like somebody is being left out, guess who? LOL

Here is the Link to the Article at the Voice of America (VOA) Website: https://www.voanews.com/a/top-us-chinese-generals-speak-for-first-time-in-over-a-year/7407280.html

SOURCE: Top US, Chinese Generals speak for First Time in over a Year {Archived Link}

October 4, 2023: US Citizens are realizing just how outdated their Train Systems are compared to China

A number of United States (US) and Canadian Citizens themselves are now realizing and posting on Social Media just how outdated the US Railway Systems really are compared to that of China. China’s Trains are a lot more Modern and comfortable to ride than anything that the US has to offer right now. 

The US is clearly stuck to the Past, an aging Superpower that is slowly going obsolete while China is not just the Present but clearly the Future also. And the Bobong Bong Marcos’ (BBM) Administration still insists on betting the Future of the Philippines with the Loser that is the US ... 

SOURCE: Man shares Video of unreal Experience aboard Chinese Bullet Train: ‘America is stuck in the 20th Century’ {Archived Link}