Philippine-China Relations, 2025

March 24, 2025: Philippine Press caught in the Act spreading Fake News after China denied that they refused to give Asylum to Digong Duterte

A Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry of China, Guo Jiakun recently responded to the Rumors and Allegations that China denied Asylum to former President Rodrigo Duterte before he was sent to the Netherlands by the current Administration of Bong Bong Marcos (BBM). 

He said that China never received any Asylum Application from Digong or his Family, and that Digong's visit to Hong Kong was a Private Vacation. Guo further emphasized that the Claims from anonymous Sources were either Fabricated, or driven by Ulterior Motives. 

He urged the Press to exercise Discernment and avoid publishing such Claims without Proper Verification. 

MY NOTES: 

The News about China supposedly denying Asylum to Digong was spread mainly by the Philippine Press, citing Anonymous Sources. The Philippine Press is notoriously Anti-China and Pro-United States (US), and is very much likely just a Propaganda Tool of the Oligarchs. 

So again as I said before, who’s spreading Fake News now? These supposed “Journalists” who now keep insisting that they be the only ones spreading the News to the Filipino People? Let me give the Main Stream Media (MSM) an Unsolicited Advice: 

Just REPORT THE NEWS, just report the Facts. Forget about “Activism”, or skewing any particular News Item to suit the Narratives of your Pet Causes at the Moment. I don’t know if you or the Oligarchs will listen to that Advice, up to you, but you are clearly now not in Tune to the Pulse of the Filipino People. 

Here is the Link to the Article at the “CGTN” Website: https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-03-24/China-refutes-claims-of-Duterte-seeking-asylum-1C0mhrM6g5q/p.html

SOURCE: China refutes claims of former Philippine President Duterte seeking Asylum {Archived Link}

February 27, 2025: The supposed Video of China claiming Palawan is just an Argument by two People, as analyzed by a Native Mandarin Speaker

I showed one of the supposed Videos on Xiaohongshu or RedNote claiming Palawan as Part of China to one of this Page's Filipino-Chinese Followers, Roy Jao, who is able to read and understand Mandarin well, and he says that the Video was just about two People arguing about Palawan. 

Quoting from him: "Just watched the Video. It was a Debate between two People — Both of whom may not even exist — arguing that Palawan was once called Zheng He Island. Then, someone in the Comments casually said it should be taken back. Again, just one Person’s Opinion, nothing more. Again, there are a few Anti China, some working in Taiwan, tried to use fake Identity to stir commotion."

He also warned about about non-Native Mandarin Writers using online Translation Software. Quoting from him again: “While they may able to use Google translate to post Mandarin, the Sentence Structure expose they are non local speaking Person.”

Here is the Link to the said Video on the Xiaohongshu App: https://www.xiaohongshu.com/explore/679377eb0000000029011626

SOURCE: Xiaohongshu Video, Unknown Date

Mig-23 on Metalstorm Review: The King of Slashing Attacks – February 2025

Powered by RedCircle

I recently unlocked the Mig-23 Fighter Aircraft on the “Metalstorm” Fighter Plane Video Game, and it seems that they really simulated it in the Game to be almost the same as it is in Real Life, mainly because it is a pretty poor Dogfighter in a Turning Fight. 

The real Mig-23 had a very Poor reputation as a Fighter Aircraft, and has a poor, unofficial actual Combat Record, with some estimates it being shot down around four times as much as the number of Aircraft it shot down. 

Game Reviews

March 5, 2025: Showing my non-standard Paint Schemes from the Metalstorm Shop for the Mirage III and Mig-23 Aircraft 

Just “flexing” two of my Favorite “rides” on Metalstorm, which is why I bought them non-Standard Paint Schemes in the first Place, the Mirage III in Blue and White Colors and the Mig-23 in disruptive Blue-White-Gray Camouflage Pattern ... :D 

I love “flying” these two Aircraft, but at higher Levels against better Aircraft and Pilots, they do get beaten quite a bit, which is expected as the Mirage III is a 1960s era Plane while the Mig-23 is 1970s Era. However, the F-4E Phantom II seems to be an Exception, although I want to play it more at higher Levels before I make my Judgment. 

So far some of my “Dogfights” with the F-4E at mid-Levels have been pretty intense ... the speed, the maneuverability ... It is proving in the Game why it is one of the Classic and longest-serving Aircraft of the World ...

Here is the Link to the official Website of the Metalstorm Game: https://www.playmetalstorm.com/

SOURCE: Metalstorm Game Official Website {Archived Link}

February 25, 2025: China/Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder to be available soon on the Metalstorm Fighter Plane Video Game

The Chinese and Pakistani developed JF-17 Thunder Fighter Aircraft will very soon be available on the Metalstorm Fighter Plane Video Game, and I am looking forward to “flying” it in there. Based on the Picture, it seems it will be armed with two short-range Missiles and two medium-range Missiles. 

The JF-17 is a Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) just like the FA-50PH Fighting Eagle Aircraft being used by the Philippine Air Force (PAF) right now. Makes me wonder though why the FA-50 is not in the Game, especially since it is somehow connected to the Aerospace Manufacturer “Lockheed Martin (LM)” as I’ve read somewhere. 

LM helped develop the FA-50 with South Korea. Other notable Aircraft that are not in the Game yet are of course the JAS-39 Gripen and Rafale. It’s possible though that these will be made available in the Game in the Future.

Here is the Link to the official Website of the Metalstorm Game: https://www.playmetalstorm.com/

SOURCE: Metalstorm Game Official Website {Archived Link}

Movie and Series Reviews, 2025

February 10, 2025: Surviving Black Hawk Down (2025) Limited Documentary Series Review

This is a pretty good Limited Documentary Series on Netflix which is produced by no less than Ridley Scott, the Director of the Movie “Black Hawk Down” that was released back in 2001. It tells the Story of “The Battle of Mogadishu” where two Black Hawk Helicopters of the United States (US) Army were shot down in 1993. 

Great to see the Series interview not only the US Side but also those on the Somali Side as well, and great to see many Pictures and Videos being shown that were likely not shown anywhere else before. There’s just three Episodes ranging from 47 to 57 minutes long, and the Storytelling was pretty good that I watch all of it in just one Evening. 

I highly recommend this, especially for Military Enthusiasts as it shows some valuable Lessons about what really happened during that Event which is already three Decades ago. The People that were involved in that Battle who were in their twenties when it happened are now in their fifties, just shows how fast time flies. 

On a Side Note, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) itself now operates the Black Hawk Helicopter, and will be the largest Operator of the S-70i Variant of that Aircraft once the Deliveries are completed by next Year of 2026.

Here is the Link to the “Surviving Black Hawk Down” Series on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/ph-en/title/81737703

SOURCE: Surviving Black Hawk Down – Netflix {Archived Link}

November 23, 2024: Pantheon (2022) Season One Animated Series Review

I decided not to post the usual Stuff today because I am currently binge-watching the Science Fiction (SciFi) Technothriller “Pantheon” which just dropped on Netflix very recently. The first one or so Episodes were somewhat derivative and predictable, the usual Stuff about the uploading of Human Consciousness into Computers which is a relatively common Themes nowadays in SciFi Movies and Series. 

However, as the Series develops, it becomes a lot better, with decent Characterizations and nice Twists. The World-building is also quite detailed and the Writer really dug in deep into the Theme and came up with some really Thought-provoking Angles on the Topic. 

Don’t let the Fact that this is an Animated Series make you think not to take this Series seriously, it does have a very Adult Theme, and even goes quite dark in some Spots. This is one of the very best SciFi Thrillers I have recently, it is Outstanding and it is a Must-Watch for me.

Here is the Link to the Series on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/ph-en/title/81937398

SOURCE: Pantheon on Netflix {Archived Link}

OUR SEA NEIGHBORS: Vietnam, 2025

April 17, 2025: The Defense Ministers of China and Vietnam themselves recently led their 9th Border Defense Friendship Exchange Activity

The Defense Ministers of China and Vietnam recently participated in their latest Border Defense Exchange Activity. The Defense Minister of Vietnam General Phan Van Giang led a Delegation that met with another Delegation that was led by the Defense Minister of China, General Dong Jun at the Border Area of the two Countries. 

This was Part of the Activities for the "9th Vietnam-China Border Defense Friendship Exchange", which included a Review of the Joint Patrol of the Navies of the two Countries, planting a "Friendship Tree" and also visiting a "Smart" Border Gate in China. 

The Exchange came just right after the Official State Visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Vietnam. 

MY NOTES:

Notice that the Defense Ministers of the two Countries are active Generals of their Armed Forces. We don’t do that because our Constitution insists that the Civilian Authority have control over our own Military. And look at the Pictures of the Meeting of the two Sides, just warm, genuine Smiles of Friendship all around. 

Note again that Vietnam and China have ongoing and unresolved Territorial Disputes in the South China Sea (SCS) like us, but Vietnam doesn’t go over to antagonize China the same Way the Philippines does, likely because of the urging of the United States (US) for the Philippines to do so. 

This Kind of Exchange between Defense Ministers is right now unthinkable with the Philippines and China because Philippine Defense and Military Officials insists on going to the Press to make offensive Remarks at China, probably to distract the Filipino People at the current Failures of the Administration of Bong Bong Marcos (BBM).

Here is the Link to the Article at the official “Ministry of National Defence” Website of Vietnam: https://mod.gov.vn/en/detail?current=true&urile=wcm:path:/mod/sa-mod-en/sa-en-news/sa-en-news-rela/vietnam-china-border-defense-friendship-exchange-officially-started 

SOURCE: Vietnam - China Border Defense Friendship Exchange officially started {Archived Link}

March 21, 2025: Vietnam and China conducted another Joint Patrol along their Land Border recently, which they have been doing since 2017

The "Lung Cu Border Guard Station" of Vietnam and the "Fu Ning Border Guard Unit" of China recently conducted a Joint Patrol along the Border of the two Countries in the Vietnamese Province of Ha Giang recently. 

The two Sides also inspected the Border Markers along the Way during the Patrol to ensure that they are intact and in good Condition. They later discussed Border Security and other Issues after the Patrol. The two Countries have been conducting such Patrols after an Agreement was signed for such an Activity back in 2017.

MY NOTES:

Again, China and Vietnam like us have unresolved Territorial Disputes in the South China Sea (SCS), but as we can see obviously they are in much better Relations with China than we are, such an Activity would be unthinkable now under this Anti-China, Pro-United States (US) Administration of Bong Bong Marcos (BBM). 

Even during the Administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte when he tried to establish better Military Relations with China, the Philippine Military covertly sabotaged the Operations and then bragged about it anonymously to the Press after Duterte’s Term. 

SOURCES: 

* Vietnam, China conduct Joint Border Patrol {Archived Link}

* Olala Tweet, 03/24/25 – 1327H {Archived Link}

China to help build 3 Railway Lines in Vietnam, one of which is funded by and will link to them

Powered by RedCircle

In December of last Year of 2024, the Governments of China and Vietnam signed an Agreement to build three Standard Gauge Railway Lines in Vietnam, one of which will link both Countries. The three Railway Lines will involve the Cities of Hanoi and Hai Phong, and also three Provinces that are on the Border of China which are Lao Cai, Lang Son and Quang Ninh. 

The first Train Line which will run from Hanoi to Lang Son will be 156 km long and cost Usd 6 billion. Another Train Line running from Mong Cai to Ha Long to Hai Phong is 187 km long and cost Usd 7 billion. 

China-Malaysia Trade at Usd 212 billion in 2024, almost ten times that of Philippine-US Trade

Powered by RedCircle

I initially posted about this last Year of 2024, but now it's official, the overall Trade between China and Malaysia for the entire Year of 2024 is now at a record-high of Usd 212 billion. This also marks as the 16th consecutive Year that China is Malaysia's biggest Trading Partner. 

In contrast, Trade between the Philippines and its supposed Ally, the United States (US) was only at a paltry Usd 23.47 billion for the Year 2024, or almost ten times less than that of China and Malaysia. Remember again that Malaysia has Territorial Disputes with China also in the South China Sea (SCS), but they have insisted on settling their Dispute among themselves only.