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

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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

May 4, 2025: Vietnam called on Philippines and China to respect its Ownership of the Sandy Cay Reef and stop Flag Planting Activities

The Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry of Vietnam, Pham Thu Hang said in a Press Conference that her Country has officially filed a Diplomatic Protest over the recent Flag Planting Activities of both the Philippines and China at the Sandy Cay Reef, which they call as "Da Hoai An". 

Quoting the Spokesperson herself: “The Position of Vietnam has been consistently and clearly affirmed, Vietnam has sufficient Legal Basis and Historical Evidence to assert Sovereignty over the Spratly Islands in accordance with International Law, including Sovereign Rights and Jurisdiction over Maritime Zones as defined under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).”

Hang emphasized that any Unauthorized Presence on these Features by other Parties constitutes a Violation of Vietnam’s Sovereignty, complicates the Regional Situation, and runs counter to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) as well as ongoing efforts to negotiate a Code of Conduct (COC) in the Region.

Vietnam is calling on the Philippines and China to respect its Sovereignty, refrain from Actions that escalate Tensions, and adhere to International Law. 

Here is the Link to the Article to the “Vietnam.net Global” Website: https://vietnamnet.vn/en/vietnam-lodges-protest-over-china-and-philippines-actions-in-spratlys-2397547.html

MY THOUGHTS:

What Vietnam is doing now is just a Reminder again that China is not our only Rival in Terms of Territories in the South China Sea (SCS), and that Vietnam is very much in it also. And yet we keep appeasing Vietnam and antagonizing China. 

The Excuse of the United States (US) and their Pinoy Dogs is that China is supposedly being “Aggressive”, and yet isn’t the Fact that Vietnam claiming Sandy Cay also being “Aggressive” already? And yet this Government of the Bangag still insists on deepening Military Ties with Vietnam, but not with China. 

That is because the US only wants the Philippines to fight China, but not Vietnam. So like Obedient and Loyal Dogs, we just follow what the US wants and tells us to do, especially under this Administration of Bong Bong Marcos (BBM).

SOURCE: Vietnam lodges Protest over China and Philippines' Actions in Spratlys {Archived Link}

April 24, 2025: Vietnam announces start of Construction of their Usd 67 billion High-Speed, North-South Railway Line by December of 2026

The Government of Vietnam recently released a new Resolution that paves the Way for the start of the Construction of their new High Speed Railway by the end of next Year of 2026. Their "Ministry of Construction" will oversee the Process which includes completing the Comprehensive Feasibility Report by August of 2026. 

The selection of Contractors, along with the completion of all Land Clearances will then be made by November of 2026, just before the start of Construction. 

The new Railway Line will use High Speed Trains, be 1,541 km long and worth a staggering Usd 67 billion. It will connect the Northern and Southern Parts of their Country, and will run from Ngoc Hoi to Thu Thiem, passing through 20 different Localities. Expected completion of the entire Line is expected to be made by 2035. 

You can read about the Article at the “VN Express International” Website here: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/traffic/vietnam-to-begin-construction-of-67b-high-speed-railway-in-december-2026-4878352.html

MY THOUGHTS: 

‘Di bale, me beinte Pesos per kilo na Bigas na naman daw tayo ngayon sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Bangag’, LOL (No worries, we now have twenty Pesos per Kilo Rice now under the Leadership of the ‘Bangag’, LOL). So again, Vietnam keeps moving forward, continuing to leave us behind in its Dust. 

Meanwhile instead of spending a lot more for Infrastructure Projects, the Government of Bong Bong Marcos (BBM) wants to buy two trillion Pesos worth of Arms instead to “fight China” ...

SOURCE: Vietnam to begin Construction of $67B High-Speed Railway in December 2026 {Archived Link}

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

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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

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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.