Tiny Cambodia surpasses Big Philippines in Foreign Visitors from January to September, 2024

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The VN Express International News Publication, which claims to be the most read Newspaper in Vietnam, seems to be trolling the Philippines when it headlined an Article about how the small Country of Cambodia managed to get more Foreign Tourists than the much larger Philippines recently. 

Cambodia, which only has a Population of 17 million People, managed to attract 4.8 million Foreign Tourists in the first nine Months, or from January to September of this Year of 2024, while the much larger Philippines with a Population of 115 million People, which is more than six times larger than that of Cambodia, only managed to attract 4 million Foreign Tourists in the same Period. 

China cuts Banana imports from Philippines due to Territorial Disputes, West yet to make up for it

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China has cut down on the importation of Bananas from the Philippines for this Year of 2024 by an incredible 49% compared to that of last Year of 2023, mainly due to Tensions brought about by the two Countries' Territorial Disputes in the South China Sea (SCS), this is according to the Data from the International Trade Centre (ITC). 

The Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) itself confirmed that the Disputes did cause China to buy less, and other Observers like from the University of Asia and the Pacific Center for Food and Agri Business also shared the same View.

Malaysia rejected US call to drop Russia, but still gets more US Investments than Philippines

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The Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim recently made an explosive revelation at a Public Forum when he said that the Secretary of State of the United States (US), Anthony Blinken, tried to pressure him to drop Relations with Russia. 

The Incident happened during the Summit of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) last Month of October 2024 that was held in Laos. Before that Summit, in September of 2024, Anwar had gone on to a two-Day working visit to Russia. 

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

November 6, 2024: Malaysian PM says that his Country wants deeper Strategic Partnership with China

The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim went on a four-Day Working Visit in China recently where he stated there that his Country is open to deepening Strategic Partnerships with China and will welcome more Investments from them in the Fields of High Quality Technology, Digital Economy Initiatives, Education and other Skill-Intensive Sectors. 

He also said that Malaysia wants to increase Bilateral Trade with China, particularly in Terms of Halal Products and Agri-Commodities, and wants to have strong Exchanges on Research, Development and Technical Expertise.

Remember that Malaysia also has Territorial Disputes with China in the South China Sea (SCS), but that has not kept them from engaging with China in Terms of Trade. Malaysia also has been the recipient of around Usd 15.5 billion worth of Investments from Companies from the United States (US) as I had made a Video about recently, so they have been very successful in getting the most both Superpower Countries. 

Here is the Link to the Article at the Bernama Website: https://www.bernama.com/tv/news.php?id=2360123

SOURCE: Malaysia open to deepening Strategic Partnership with China, welcomes more Investments – Anwar {Archived Link}

October 19, 2024: Malaysian NSC reaffirms Joint Commitment to Maritime Cooperation with China

The National Security Council (NSC) of Malaysia recently said that they have reaffirmed the Joint Commitment with China to further strengthen their Practical Maritime Cooperation. 

The Matter was discussed during a Bilateral Dialogue in Langkawi, Malaysia between the two Delegations from both Countries. The Malaysian Delegation was led by the Malaysian NSC Director General Datuk Abidin while the Chinese Delegation was led by their Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong. 

Note how different the Malaysian NSC is from the Philippine NSC which has been constantly attacking China but silent on Malaysia’s occupation of Sabah. Remember that Malaysia also has Territorial Disputes with China in the South China Sea (SCS).

Here is the Link to the Article at the Bernama Website: https://www.bernama.com/tv/news.php?id=2353870 

SOURCE: Malaysia and China reaffirm Joint Commitment to further strengthen Maritime Cooperation {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}