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

December 27, 2024: Malaysian’s View of China and its Investments into their Country remain very High

The Perception of Malaysians of China have improved significantly in recent Years, this according to a Public Opinion Survey conducted by the Merdeka Centre in Malaysia in the middle of this Year of 2024. 

84% of Malaysians said that they view ties with China positively, up from 70% in 2022 of the same Survey. 82% of Malaysians also expressed favorable Views of China's Investments into their Country, up from the 70% back in 2022. 

Most importantly, 64% of Malaysians said that their overall View of China has changed positively, up from just 34% in 2022. Only 9% of Malaysians held a negative View of China and its Investments into Malaysia. 

Remember that Malaysia also has Territorial Disputes with China in the South China Sea (SCS), but unlike the Philippines, they refused to be brainwashed by the United States (US) into antagonizing China over it. 

Also remember that despite Malaysia’s closeness to China, US Companies still insists on going there for their Investments instead of the Philippines who is now being a subservient Dog to the US under this Administration of Bong Bong Marcos (BBM). 

Here is the Link to the Article at the “Awani International” Website: https://international.astroawani.com/malaysia-news/malaysian-favourability-towards-china-reaches-new-high-survey-shows-502172 

SOURCE: Malaysian favourability towards China reaches new High, Survey Shows {Archived Link}

November 14, 2024: Malaysia sends Protest against Philippines’ new Territorial Laws

The Deputy Foreign Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Mohamad Alamin told his Country's Parliament recently that the two new Laws that the Philippines approved recently, the "Philippine Maritime Zones Act" and the "Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act" overstepped Malaysia's 1979 New Map which is based on International Law. 

As a Result, Malaysia will be sending a Protest Note to the Philippines about it. Alamin said, "We have finalised and considered several Key Issues that we will include in our Protest Note. We are sending this Protest Note Today to demonstrate our commitment to defending Sabah’s Sovereign Rights and the Sovereignty of our Country". 

The Philippines so far has not responded to Alamin’s report to his Parliament as of the writing of the Article. 

So the Philippines' new Laws has angered not only China, but also Malaysia. It is possible that the other Rival Claimants of the Philippines in the South China Sea (SCS), namely Vietnam and Taiwan, will also file Protests of their own soon. 

Here is the Link to the Article at the “Malay Mail” Website: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/11/14/foreign-ministry-malaysia-to-send-protest-note-on-philippine-laws-that-infringe-on-sabahs-maritime-boundaries/156890

SOURCE: Foreign Ministry: Malaysia to send Protest Note on Philippine Laws that infringe on Sabah’s Maritime Boundaries {Archived Link}

OUR SEA NEIGHBORS: Vietnam, 2024

December 23, 2024: Vietnam to build a new Railway Line to China

The Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh said that they intend to start building a new Railway Line from its largest Port in the North of Vietnam to their Border with China by the end of next Year of 2025. He said that they will submit the Plan for approval by their National Assembly in February of 2025. 

The new Line will be 417 km long and will run from the Lao Cai Province to Haiphong City. This is Bad News for the United States (US) and their Filipino Dogs who keep fantasizing about turning Vietnam into another Dog of the US, just like the Philippines is now.

So more Railways and better Relations with China for Vietnam, while in the Philippines, more ‘Ayuda’ or Dole Outs to buy Votes and more subservience to the US. 

Here is the Article at the “Reuters” Website: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/vietnam-start-construction-new-railway-linking-with-china-by-end-2025-2024-12-23/ 

SOURCE: Vietnam to start construction of new Railway linking with China by end-2025 {Archived Link}

December 6, 2024: Major US Company NVIDIA to establish AI Centers in Vietnam instead of the US’ Dog, the Philippines

The United States (US) Company, "NVIDIA Corporation" continues to ignore Philippines, a Dog of their Government, and invested again in Vietnam, a known close Ally of China despite having Territorial Disputes with them. 

This after the Company announced recently that it is establishing not just one but two Artificial Intelligence (AI) Data Centers there. The Vietnamese Government said that the two Centers will help their Country become a leading Center in Asia for AI Research and Development, and create Jobs for many talented Vietnamese People in that Industry. 

The Vietnamese Government also said that they have already put up a Program that will train 50,000 Engineers for the Semiconductor Industry by 2030, with 5,000 of them will have In-Depth Expertise in AI. 

NVIDIA is one of the biggest Technology Companies not just in the US but in the entire World, and their investment in Vietnam instead of the Philippines continues to illustrate how little the Philippines is benefiting economically from it being a subservient Dog to the US. 

The US, on the other hand, will benefit in having the Philippines as a Sacrificial Pawn or Lamb in its War with China, particularly over Taiwan. 

Here is the Link to the Article at the “Vietnam Investment Review (VIR)” Website:  https://vir.com.vn/nvidia-to-build-two-ai-centres-in-vietnam-119177.html

SOURCE: Nvidia to build two AI Centres 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

December 12, 2024: China-Vietnam Trade vs. US-Philippines Trade

Trade between China and Vietnam in the first eleven Months of this Year of 2024 has already reached Usd 185.4 billion, or an average of Usd 16.8 billion per Month. This is already above the Usd 171.9 billion in Trade between the two Countries for the entire Year of 2023. 

At this current rate, the Bilateral Trade could hit an historic high of Usd 200 billion for the Year 2024. Agricultural Products are Vietnam's main Export to China, consisting of Products like Durian, Bird's Nest, Sweet Potatoes, Dragon Fruits, Longans, Rambutans, Mangoes, Jackfruits, Watermelons, Bananas, Black Jelly, Mangosteens, Lychees and Passion Fruit. 

Meanwhile, Trade between the Philippines and the United States (US) from January to October of this Year of 2024 has been an anemic Usd 19.2 billion only, or around nine times less than that of the Trade between China and Vietnam. 

So in the End, Vietnam’s alliance with China has been a lot more economically beneficial for them than the Philippines’ alliance with the US, around nine times as much. Vietnam, of course, has a Trade Deficit with China, meaning they are importing more than they are exporting to China. 

But the Philippines also has a Trade Deficit with the US, and Vietnam’s exports to China at Usd 55 billion is almost eight times that of the Philippines’ exports to the US which is only at Usd 7.8 billion. 

And also the importing of Goods also benefits an Economy in many Ways as local Companies and People are employed when these are transported during Distribution and stored at Warehouses. Local People and Businesses are employed when selling them, and whatever profit that comes out of it also ends up with the Local People and Businesses ...

SOURCES: 

* Việt Nam-China Trade nears $200 billion Milestone {Archived Link}

* 2024: U.S. Trade in Goods with Philippines {Archived Link}

December 6, 2024: TikTok appeal rejected by US Court, could be banned there in early 2025

A Federal Court in the United States (US) recently rejected the appeal of the TikTok Application or “App” to overturn a Law which required it to be sold to US Companies or be banned there by early next Year of 2025. 

TikTok said that they will now take the fight to the US Supreme Court, but it remains to be seen if they will be banned or not while their Case is in the SC. Actually, this Government of Bong Bong Marcos (BBM) was already eager to ban the App before because of its ownership by a Chinese Company, but was hesitant to do so because of its popularity. 

But if the US does ban the App in their Country, then I am sure the Philippines will follow right away because they will use that as justification, and the Country is now, of course, a subservient Dog of the US. 

TikTok isn’t and won’t be easily replaced by other Apps because of its unique Algorithm (which means a set of Instructions or Rules designed to perform specific Tasks or solve Problems) which allows ordinary People to have a better chance of going Viral in their Platform. 

This Algorithm is actually a “Trade Secret”, which is why China will not allow the Company to be sold to other Nationalities. So either the ownership of TikTok by China stays, or it will be banned in the US. 

Here is the Link to the Article at the “BBC News” Website: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2ldnq5095xo.amp

SOURCE: TikTok set to be banned in the US after losing appeal {Archived Link}

The President Bong Bong Marcos (PBBM) Presidency, 2024

December 8, 2024: Philippines struggles to meet Tourism Targets while Thailand already has 31 million Visitors

The Research Organization "BMI Research" recently downgraded their Forecast of International Tourist Arrivals to the Philippines for the Year 2024 from their previous 6.6 milion to only 6 million. This after the latest Data showed only 4.5 million such Tourists arrived in the Country from January to October of 2024. 

Note the Philippine Governments Target is at 7.7 million, but with only two Months left in the Year and with a shortfall of 3.2 million, it is unlikely that the Philippines will hit the Target as it only averaged 450,000 International Arrivals per Month. 

Meanwhile, while the Philippines is struggling to attract 6-7 million Foreign Tourists, Thailand announced that 31 million such Tourists have already arrived in their Country from January to November of 2024, generating Usd 42 billion in Revenue. 

That's an average of 2.8 million International Arrivals per Month generating Usd 3.8 million in Revenue. Thailand ultimately set their Target at 36 million Foreign Tourists for the entire Year of 2024. Chinese tourists made up the largest number of Foreign Arrivals at over 6 million, followed by those from Malaysia, India, South Korea, and Russia.

So while the Administration of Bong Bong Marcos (BBM) continues to distract Filipinos with various other Issues, the Country’s Tourism Industry is failing and Thailand is once again pulling away farther from the Philippines in Terms of Tourist Arrivals and generated Income ...

SOURCES:

* PH ʼ24 Tourism arrivals Forecast cut to 6M {Archived Link}

* Southeast Asia's second largest Economy welcomes over 31 million Foreign Tourists {Archived Link} 

December 5, 2024: Brand new Bridge in Cagayan collapsed before it can be used

A brand new Bridge that was just completed recently collapsed before it could be used in Barangay Alibago, Enrile, Cagayan, prompting the Mayor of Enrile, Miguel Decena Jr. to call for an immediate meeting with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). 

Mayor Decena claimed that he had already filed a Case against the Bridge Project before, but it was dismissed. He is now asking the DPWH to reveal its Feasibility Study and Detailed Engineering Design (DED) for the Bridge. 

To add to the Controversy, the Site where the Bridge was constructed was supposed to be in a "No Build Zone" of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).  

Here is the Link to the Article at the “Brigada” Website: https://www.brigadanews.ph/brand-new-bridge-collapses-before-use/

SOURCE: Brand-new Bridge collapses before use {Archived Link}

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}