Filipino diplomats say ties with Beijing more important than US'

Says US "focused too much" on anti-terrorism and calls it their "weak spot."

Comment: But I must say, for the moment, Mrs. Arroyo needs the US support more for her own political survival, that's why she's been sucking up the US lately and talking re "anti-terrorism" and rushing the peace deal in Mindanao. Walang kwenta kasi ang suporta ng China sa kanyang political problems eh.

From the Tribune:

RP boosts ties with China, laments US focus on anti-terror

By Michaela P. del Callar
Friday, 10 28, 2005


The Philippines' bila-teral relations with China, particularly the economic aspect of its ties, are increasingly becoming dynamic and vibrant today than the United States, Filipino diplomats yes-terday admitted.

Flourishing ties with Beijing can be attributed to Washington's focus on anti-terrorism, which, according to sources, is far from what the country needs at the moment.

“The US focus is more on terrorism and that's the weak spot. Our relation with China is more relevant investments-wise and in terms of economic development opportunities,” one of the sources said.

Although the US remains the country's top trading partner, the sources added Washington is more concerned right now with the anti-terrorism than investments.

Washington-based Heritage Foundation, an influential and conservative US think-tank, said some US policy-makers are concerned over the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations' new alliance with China.

In its recent report, it acknowledged that China is rapidly becoming a predominant superpower in Southeast Asia, using its economic clout to gain political influence.

This development, according to the report, has somehow diminished the US role in the region even with traditional allies and friends.

A senior Filipino diplomat believes Manila should not be faulted for forging closer relations with China.

“The US has some responsibility in its diminished influence in the region. They must address this rather than we. I think there are efforts (to solve this). Both sides, the Philippines and the US, are doing their best to bring back the dynamism in the relationship. We continue to make it stronger to restore normal vibrancy,” the diplomatic source who requested anonymity said.

“The Philippines should look after its own interests too. The Philippines and the US must work harder to transform existing relations into a new one after the falling out as caused by the Philippine pullout of troops in Iraq last year,” another diplomat noted.

According to the Heritage report, Chinese military aid, at first glance, is a small amount when compared to American assistance, but Beijing has achieved its goals.

It cited President Arroyo's commitment to supporting China's view on the One-China policy and agreed to allow China to explore for oil inside the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which is a “remarkable reversal” of Manila's earlier opposition to Chinese activities in the South China Sea.

“Although Mrs. Arroyo looked great from Washington, bad economic policies, tax increases and allegations of corruption and vote rigging at home seriously damaged her reputation,” the report added.

“American commentators denounced Mrs. Arroyo's capitulation to terrorists and (US) Congress decreased American foreign aid from $130 million authorized for 2005 to $96 million in 2006,” it said.

China stepped in to aid the beleaguered Arroyo administration “within six weeks of pulling out of the Iraq coalition,” one senior Bush administration foreign policy official noted.

“Our Filipino allies sent President Arroyo to Beijing, completed reciprocal visits for their and China's defense ministers and signed a confidential protocol with China on exploitation of South China Sea resources,” Heritage Foundation, quoting the same US official, said.

The US Embassy in Manila said the Heritage Foundation's report does not reflect the overall policy of the Bush administration.

“President George W. Bush speaks for himself. Heritage Foundation is one of many think tanks. The administration speaks for itself,” Embassy spokesman Matthew Lussenhop said.

Also, the US government yesterday declined to comment on mounting calls for snap elections, but warned it will oppose violent and unconstitutional measures to change the government.

Lussenhop said the Washington's policy remains the same and that it will not support an overthrow of government.

“We support democracy and the rule of law, but we are against extra-judicial steps to change the government,” he added.

The embassy official refused to comment further when pressed about resignation calls for Mrs. Arroyo and Vice President Noli de Castro.

Lussenhop maintained that Washington will not interfere in the domestic issues of the Philippines.

The President's popularity ratings continue to drop as she remains mum on the issues confronting her presidency.

Protest actions calling for the President's removal have also snowballed rapidly since exposes of 2004 election fraud and family corruption scandals were made public earlier this year, and demonstrations are at a near daily rate in the streets of Metro Manila.

After the President's admission she was the voice behind the controversial wiretapped conversations with former Commission on Elections Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, the US has distanced itself from the Arroyo administration.

This was contrary to the embassy's previous expression of “unequivocal” support to the President.

Washington has maintained its official line on the Philippine political criss, saying its support is for institutions and democratic processes, not to individual persons.

UPDATE: Read this too from Philippine Commentary.