Japan antsy about Phl-China relations
Tokyo, Japan – On board the presidential aircraft for the five-hour trip to Japan, the President seemed to be in a jovial, light mood. He was very upbeat about the official visit, optimistic this will be a good one that will tighten the friendship between the Philippines and Japan even more. He described it as a “defining moment,” as we spoke briefly, – telling me the Japanese are one of our closest friends in the region.
Some of those who were on board the presidential aircraft are members of his Cabinet led by Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez along with IT adviser Ramon Jacinto and national security adviser retired general Jun Esperon.
At the economic forum, some of the top businessmen who were present were Manny Pangilinan, Tommy Alcantara, Tessie Sy-Coson, Tony Tan Caktiong, Vivien Yuchengco, Edgar “Injap” Sia, Dennis Uy, as well as presidential adviser Joey Concepcion and Ambassador to the UN Teddyboy Locsin.
The presidential schedule included courtesy calls on the President by officials of the Japan-Philippines Parliamentarians Friendship League, as well as an address before the Philippine Economic Forum with an estimated 1,000 participants. As noted by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe himself, President Duterte is very popular in Japan and this was very apparent during his visit.
The Wednesday activities were among the most fruitful as far as trade and commerce is concerned, with the Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) chairman Sadayuki Sakakibara hosting lunch for the President and his official delegation. Keidanren is one of the biggest economic organizations in Japan with close to 1,500 companies, industrial associations and regional economic organizations as members. The federation was founded in August 1946 right after the end of World War II for the purpose of reconstructing the Japanese economy and hastening its recovery.
Japan happens to be the biggest trade partner of the Philippines as well as its top official development assistance donor. The Japanese, however, are a little antsy about the strengthening ties between the Philippines and China. A major concern was the perceived strained relations between Manila and Washington, with President Duterte’s sharp rhetoric against the United States becoming a major concern not only among Japanese businessmen, but also to many observers across the region.
The bilateral meeting between the President and Prime Minister Abe will serve as an opportunity to emphasize the importance of maintaining friendly ties with the United States in upholding regional peace and stability in the face of China’s growing assertiveness. As everyone knows, Japan also has maritime disputes involving the East China Sea with China claiming sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands.
President Duterte’s China visit – where he was promised $24 billion in loans and investment agreements – has caused ripples of anxiety that reverberated not only in Asia Pacific, but also across Western nations. The US, of course, has sought clarification regarding the President’s “confusing” statements, announcing the Philippines’ separation from the US, but saying later there would be no changes as far as alliances are concerned.
In contrast with his sharp remarks about the US, President Rody has expressed admiration for the work ethic of the Japanese and their industriousness. In his remarks prior to his departure for Japan, the President noted the “abiding partnership” between Japan and the Philippines, “based on common aspirations and shared values of democracy, adherence to the rule of law and the peaceful settlement of disputes.”
The President’s assurance that there would be no military alliance with China should go a long way in assuaging the fears of Japanese and other investors across the globe. Explaining that his visit to China was purely for economics, Duterte went on to say that there was no talk about military alliances or stationing of Chinese troops in the Philippines.
The China visit, however, saw President Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping signing a memorandum of understanding for the “establishment of a joint Coast Guard committee on maritime cooperation.” Japan for its part has promised to help the Philippines beef up its maritime capabilities, starting with the donation of 10 Coast Guard vessels with the first one having arrived two weeks earlier. Yesterday’s activities also included a signing of the memorandum of implementation for the transfer of a Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force’s trainer aircraft TC-90 as part of the agreement for the transfer of Japanese defense equipment and technology to the Philippines – further underscoring Japan’s serious intent to enhance defense cooperation with our country.
Tugade vehemently denies Goldberg’s assertion
Transportation Secretary Art Tugade, who also joined the President’s trip to Japan, sought me out to deny Ambassador Philip Goldberg’s statement that he, along with Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, made an “unpublicized” trip to China last June – which paved the way for President Duterte’s visit to China that resulted in $ 24 billion worth of soft loan and investment pledges. ( Photo shows Speaker Bebot Alvarez and Art Tugade in the holding room for the President before the economic forum.)
Tuga de says what is true is that he plans to visit China soon to follow up Chinese investors’ interest in rail and transportation projects, jokingly adding that this seems to be a “failure of intelligence” on the part of the CIA.
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