Backdoor diplomacy with China

These days it seems that we never lack for bad news. It’s prevalent every time we open a newspaper and we see it on television and all over social media. From election craziness, to the anger over the balikbayan box issue, or just plain outrage over the latest injustice, we aren’t lacking for problems. One of the long-standing ones is our simmering feud with China. While I still have reservations about certain things that have been happening on that front, I’m also still hopeful about being able to solve our issues peacefully amongst ourselves and find positive ways to view our relationship with China. After all, as neighbors I think it’s important for us to find ways to work with one another.

As I mentioned recently, I think we should all welcome the development of the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) developed by Beijing, China recently. This welcome institution is set to be operational by the end of the year. This will give us a way to become less dependent on the World Bank – International Monetary Fund and the European Union, which do not have favorable monetary lending policies for third world countries as they follow the same protocol for us as they would any other country in the world.

The AIIB is fully supported by 57 countries with more expected to come onboard in the future. The two biggest contributors are China and India. As we know, China has become one of the world’s largest powers both financially and by sheer number. China has a formidable population and they have investments in almost every single part of the world. They have even overtaken Japan in terms of being the strongest and quite possibly richest Asian nation and it will only be a matter of time before they completely solidify their place as a global force.

And as the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility. I think China is making the right move pushing the AIIB initiative as the “big brother” Asian nation. I think that this is a good move that will give countries in Asia a good chance of working together and forging lasting partnerships. It’s about time we all stop being so dependent on the West and work together to achieve our own development. In this way, there are also more options in terms of lending facilities and this could result in healthy competition and better lending terms for all.

As I wrote in an earlier column I believe that we are not past peacefully resolving our problems with China. And I think it is truly in our best interest to do so without tension and straightforwardly in bilateral negotiations without having to involve the other Asean countries. In fact, the new Chinese ambassador here has already publicly stated that he would like to hold talks with our government for negotiation purposes. They are ready to discuss whenever we are. I hope that we find a way to resolve our differences peacefully; it would obviously be more beneficial to both our nations this way.

Last week, we received a kind invitation from the People’s Republic of China’s Embassy in Manila. They are holding a ‘Media Tour’ in September traveling through Beijing, Shandong, and Suzhou. I jumped at the opportunity to go and learn more about these places and I look forward to seeing everything they want to showcase. I think these types of trips are important for us to be able to find out more about one another. China has gotten a bit of a bad rap in the media in recent times. Trips like these are a good opportunity for China to show the world their better side.

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My wife, Monique and I were greatly impressed by a sizeable monument of our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal that we saw in the town plaza of Juneau, Alaska. It was built here by patriotic Filipino expats living in Alaska, who all contributed money to build the monument tribute to our hero. Not only was it an interesting sight to come across, and a great testament to just how Filipinos have truly reached far flung places in the world, but it was heartening to see how Filipinos still bring with them great pride and love for their country and their national heroes no matter where in the world they end up.

It’s unfortunate that that same pride doesn’t seem to resonate as strongly here in the country. I know I’ve been quite vocal about my dislike for the Torre de Manila situation when it comes to the Rizal monument. I think it’s become quite ridiculous how so many people are chiming in trying to find a solution to a problem that never should have been a problem in the first place. If the officials in place had protected the heritage site as they should have we would not be needing to find solutions to the eyesore problem.

However, now that it is here, we can’t ignore the fact that we are going to have to make do and find a way to best deal with the situation. The arguments on both sides are still going strong and we’re no closer to reaching a solution than we were before. Recently the Torre group – who has been ordered to halt their construction for now – released an artist’s rendering of how it would be possible for heritage and development to meet. They filled the skyline with skyscrapers to show how the site might still look good despite having buildings in the background.

While I am not adverse to progress, I also think that we have to be realistic with our expectations. While the artist’s rendering might look good in a drawing (it’s reminiscent of New York and London skylines), it won’t necessarily translate the same in real life. After all, the location of these proposed skyscrapers are already filled with other sites that aren’t going to be torn down to make way for these fictitious buildings.

What’s more, letting Torre get away with their building without any repercussions sets a scary tone for “progress.”Progress unchecked can run rampant and destroy everything in its path. We have to be vigilant and protect our past at the same time as we build our future. Personally, I am not happy with the thought of a 46-floor building behind the Rizal monument. I’d like to think there are still places in Manila that are sacred and that we can protect. At the end of the day, the power lies with the Supreme Court, and I know we are all awaiting their decision.