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, 2023-2025

January 8, 2025: Indian Air Chief criticizes the Tejas’ delay 

India's Tejas Fighter Aircraft received another major blow to its reputation recently when no less than the Chief Air Marshal of the Indian Air Force (IAF), A.P. Singh criticized it publicly for being unable to deliver the number of Aircraft they ordered a Decade and a half ago. 

Quoting Singh himself: "We should go back to 1984, when we conceived that Aircraft. The first Aircraft flew in 2001, 17 years later. The induction started another 15 years later, in 2016. Today, we are in 2024. I do not have the first 40 Aircraft also, so this is the production capability". The IAF Chief then also added: "... Technology delayed is Technology denied ..."

I’m sorry to India, but at this Point, I would consider the Tejas as a failure already as a Fighter Aircraft. It actually made its first Flight ahead of its current Rivals, the FA-50 Fighting Eagle and the JF-17 Thunder, but now the FA-50 and JF-17 have over a hundred Aircraft in Service each, and both have been export successes while the Tejas can’t even fulfill its order of 40 Aircraft to its own Air Force. 

I think the Tejas was just too ambitious, India wanted their own Design and build every Part of it themselves, but they have been unable to do so. On the other Hand, the FA-50 and JF-17 were made with the collaboration of well established Foreign Aviation Defense Companies. 

Moving forward, I think India should abandon plans to build the Tejas Mk 2, or at the very least, introduce a parallel Program with it with the help of a Foreign Company, like Russia’s Sukhoi Design Bureau and their upcoming Su-75 Checkmate, for Example. 

Here is the Link to the Article on the “India Today” Website: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/iaf-chief-ap-singh-tejas-fighter-jets-production-delay-china-sixth-generation-aircraft-2661342-2025-01-08

SOURCE: Yet to get 40 Tejas ordered in 2010: IAF Chief as China tests sixth-gen Jets {Archived Link}

December 21, 2024: China-India Relations continue to improve as Interactions between the two Countries continue to rise

Relations between China and India continue to slowly improve, especially after the Meeting between the National Security Adviser (NSA) of India, Ajit Doval, and the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi. China has, for example, now agreed to resume the "Kailash-Manasarovar Yatra" Pilgrimage of Hindus from India to Tibet, and is now even providing Data relating to the Flow of Water to the Brahmaputra and Sutlej Rivers from their Side. 

Cross Border Trade between the two Countries have also resumed at Nathu La in Sikkim, India. India has now realized that to grow their Manufacturing Base, they will need closer Ties with China who is the Leader in many Fields such as Electric Vehicles (EV), High Speed Trains, Batteries, Solar Technology and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). 

Indian Businessmen also want to have less Restrictions in Terms of Investments, Imports and Travel to China. They are also calling for India to join the Trade Organizations that are being led by China such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). 

Here is the Link to the Article at “The Wire” Website: https://thewire.in/diplomacy/pragmatism-is-the-name-of-indias-new-game-with-china

SOURCE: Pragmatism Is the Name of India's New Economic Game With China {Archived Link}

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 12, 2024: Net FDI down, Trade Deficit widens under the Administration of the Bangag

Some more Bad News on the Economic Front, first is that the Net Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) to the Philippines for the Month of September 2024 went down to Usd 368 million, down over 36% compared to the same Month last Year of September 2023 which was at Usd 577 million. 

This is is also the single Month lowest FDI since April 2020 which was at Usd 314 million. And remember that at that time in 2020, the Philippines was at the height of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Pandemic which was the Reason why it went down so low. 

Meanwhile, the Trade Deficit of the Philippines (meaning the amount of Imports minus the amount of Exports) continue to grow for the Month of October 2024 to Usd 5.8 billion, which is much higher compared to the same Month in October 2023 which was only at Usd 4.2 billion.

This was higher than the Usd 5.1 billion a Month earlier in September 2024. Imports rose Usd 11.96 billion which is 11.2% higher than the Usd 10.76 billion in October 2023. Exports on the other Hand went down to only Usd 6.16 billion compared to the Usd 6.52 billion in October 2023. 

SOURCES:

* Net FDI hits over 4-year low of $368M in Sept, BSP Reports {Archived Link}

* Trade Deficit expands as Exports keep falling {Archived Link}

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} 

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}