International Relations and Foreign Affairs

[Askal82]

Originally Posted by amigo32

Just pray to Buddha and He will bless you

They pray to the Chinese Communist Party.

[amigo32]

Originally Posted by Askal82

They pray to the Chinese Communist Party.

Oh I didn't know Otakaw prays to the CCP
He is anti Teddy C

[Nabartek]

Originally Posted by OtAkAw

Looks like we are in a precarious situation. If China grows more economically (without a doubt it will), it will become more powerful and will be able to exert more muscles to smaller, less powerful nations like us. The future looks bleak.

The problem with China is that it is irresponsible. It wants the be recognized as a world power but it is buddha-damn irresponsible. Their mentality was the Westerm mentality 500 years ago (Napagiwanan lang naman )

Originally Posted by amigo32

Just pray to Buddha and He will bless you

Originally Posted by Askal82

They pray to the Chinese Communist Party.

Originally Posted by amigo32

Oh I didn't know Otakaw prays to the CCP
He is anti Teddy C

[Monchhichi]

Separate visas for Chinese passports—DFA
The new procedure for stamping Philippine visas on a separate visa form will apply to holders of both old and new Chinese e-passports to avoid confusion among Filipino immigration and consular officers, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday.
“The DFA (has) already sent a circular to our embassies and consulates worldwide to implement the new procedure on stamping Philippine visas on the visa application forms submitted by Chinese nationals who wish to visit the Philippines, effective immediately,” said DFA spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez.
“This new procedure will include the old Chinese passports. It is a uniform implementation so as not to create confusion in our foreign service posts and immigration office,” he said.
Protests
The new procedure is in protest of China’s issuance of passports bearing a map of China extending its territory to disputed parts of the South China Sea, including parts being claimed by the Philippines and Vietnam.
Included in the map of China is the West Philippine Sea where the Philippines claims as part of its economic zone the Kalayaan island group within the Spratlys off Palawan and its Panatag Shoal off Zambales.
The DFA has described China’s issuance of its new passports displaying a questionable map as an “excessive declaration” of China’s maritime domain. Tarra Quismundo
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/586...-passports-dfa

[Manila-X]

Originally Posted by OtAkAw

Looks like we are in a precarious situation. If China grows more economically (without a doubt it will), it will become more powerful and will be able to exert more muscles to smaller, less powerful nations like us. The future looks bleak.

That is if smaller, less powerful nations do not do anything about it or not unite agains it.

[Manila-X]

Aquino appoints new ambassador to China
By TJ Burgunio
Philippine Daily Inquirer
12:01 pm | Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino has appointed Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Erlinda Basilio as the new Philippine ambassador to China.

Basilio, undersecretary for policy, would replace Ambassador Sonia Brady, who was appointed to a second term in Beijing amid increasing tension between the Philippines and China over the West Philippine Sea. She returned to Manila in September after suffering a stroke in Beijing.

“Given her wealth of experience, and given that she’s already an undersecretary… that sends a signal how important our relations are with China,’’ the President told reporters after speaking at the general assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines at the Manila Hotel.

[rider2]

Originally Posted by Manila-X

That is if smaller, less powerful nations do not do anything about it or not unite agains it.

And so the ASEAN cannot be more relevant...what could be even more relevant in this situation is if ASEAN, being only an economic alliance for now, also forms a common defense structure

[Nabartek]

Originally Posted by rider2

And so the ASEAN cannot be more relevant...what could be even more relevant in this situation is if ASEAN, being only an economic alliance for now, also forms a common defense structure

I wonder if these other countries realize that a lot of their economy is reliant of free passage in the WPS...

I guess some will wake up once trade is obstructed talaga. Yung tipong kelangan pa magpaalam at magpakita ng passport sa CCP

[xxxriainxxx]

Originally Posted by Nabartek

I wonder if these other countries realize that a lot of their economy is reliant of free passage in the WPS...

I guess some will wake up once trade is obstructed talaga. Yung tipong kelangan pa magpaalam at magpakita ng passport sa CCP

I think Singapore does now.

[Monchhichi]

New PH envoy to China Basilio to 'significantly enhance' bilateral relations – DFA chief
MANILA - The appointment of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Erlinda Basilio as Philippine ambassador to China is aimed to “significantly enhance” the bilateral relations between the two countries, DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario said in a statement.

Del Rosario said he nominated Basilio to the post for her “experience and expertise” in Philippine-China relations.



"We are endeavoring to significantly enhance our bilateral relations with China, and we are counting on our ambassador nominee, Usec Erlinda Basilio, to play a major role in achieving our defined objectives," Del Rosario said.

He said that Basilio is a "seasoned senior diplomat who brings with he experience and expertise in dealing with all current matters pertaining our relations with China."

Basilio’s appointment came after Ambassador Sonia Brady’s stroke last August. She has been at the forefront of diplomatic efforts to find a solution to the conflict with China, particularly on the territorial dispute over the resource-rich islands and rock formations on the waters southeast of China and west of the Philippines.

China claims all of South China Sea (also called West Philippine Sea) under its nine-dash-line map as part of its territory. Taiwan, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines have separate and overlapping claims.

Basilio was among those who accompanied del Rosario to the Association of the Southeast Asian Nation Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Cambodia earlier this year when for the first time, the regional bloc failed to issue the customary joint communique.

Basilio later released a statement to the media detailing the events leading to it.

Her statement prompted former Cambodian Ambassador to Manila Hos Sereynoth to write a strong worded letter to a national newspaper accusing the Philippines for doing "dirty politics" in pushing ASEAN to take a common stand on the overlapping claims. Hos was later recalled from Manila and was reassigned to another post.

A senior official from the DFA who refused to be identified earlier revealed the five nominees that del Rosario submitted to President Benigno Aquino III.

The high-ranking official, who requested anonymity as he is not authorized to speak in behalf of the department, said that aside from Basilio, the four other senior career diplomats that were included in the shortlist were Undersecretary for Migrant Affairs Jesus Yabes, Philippine Ambassador to London Enrique Manalo, former Ambassador to Malaysia Vic Licaros; and Philippine Representative to the United Nations in Geneva Evan Garcia.

The official said that the DFA’s best bet for the China post was Yabes, but he was appointed as the chief of World Trade Organization in October.

But some Cabinet officials were pushing for the appointment of former ABC news correspondent to China Chito Sta. Romana to the post.

Basilio background

Basilio, who has been the DFA undersecretary for policy for the past five years, has a Bachelor of Arts degree, mejor in Political Science from the University of the Philippines, where she also finished her master’s degree on Asian Studies.

Previously, she was third secretary and vice consul; then first secretary, minister counselor, and finally consul general in Tokyo in 1975.

In 1994 she became the deputy chief of mission then charge d' affaires in Havana, Cuba.

In 2003 she was designated as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Sweden.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/4...ons--dfa-chief

[Askal82]

They mean more ass kissing.

[kenken94]

The Foreign Service may look so hypocritical but their job really requires them too. Don't worry, even when engaging with the Chinese, they carry national interests with them. That is after all ---- DIPLOMACY.

[Asturiano]

This video is very relevant to Philippines Foreign Relation.

[Manila-X]

Originally Posted by rider2

And so the ASEAN cannot be more relevant...what could be even more relevant in this situation is if ASEAN, being only an economic alliance for now, also forms a common defense structure

Problem is, our armed forces are ill-equipped when it comes to conventional warfare especially our air force.

At least we are seeing modernization in effect and hope this improves our AFP.

[Monchhichi]

ASEAN members urge India to intervene in disputes with China
NEW DELHI - Southeast Asian countries are urging India to intervene to help resolve bitter territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea, saying it was "crucial" to maintaining peace and stability.

ASEAN, the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, called on India - which vowed to promote co-operation on trade and maritime security with the countries - to take a more decisive stance in the region.

Vietnamese Premier Nguyen Tan Dung asked for New Delhi's direct intervention over South China Sea territorial disputes while Myanmar President Thein Sein said India's role was "crucial" to ensuring peace and stability in the region.

But India's foreign minister insisted the issue did not require his country's intervention.

China claims most of the South China Sea, including waters close to the shores of its neighbours. These areas include major sea lanes and are believed to hold vast mineral and oil resources.

China's claim is contested by the Philippines as well as Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam, which have overlapping claims to some or all of those same areas.

"Doing something about it includes not doing something about it" Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid said, adding that issues of sovereignty "need to be resolved between the countries concerned".

"China knows it, India knows it that there is too much too loose if we don't overcome issues from time to time," he said.

Relations between India and China, who have an unresolved border dispute, are often prickly and marked by mutual distrust - a legacy of a brief border war in 1962 -- but they are trying to broaden trade ties despite political tensions.

China's trade with ASEAN countries is far greater than India's, but 20 years after the latter launched a "Look East" policy New Delhi's trade with Southeast Asian nations is increasing.

Trade between the two was $80 billion last year compared with $47 billion in 2008.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/5...tes-with-china

[nayki]

Japan FM eyes Manila trip amid China dispute

TOKYO - Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida plans to visit the Philippines in the first half of this month on his first trip abroad as foreign minister, possibly from Wednesday, government sources said.

The trip is aimed at strengthening Japan's ties with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at a time when China is being increasingly assertive in making territorial and other claims in not only the East China Sea but also the South China Sea.

China is pushing its claims to the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, which it calls the Diaoyu, and has also been involved in territorial disputes in the South China Sea with the Philippines and Vietnam, among other ASEAN members.

Kishida's first trip as foreign minister to the Philippines has been arranged as part of new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's efforts to beef up Japan's diplomacy.

In the Philippines, Kishida is expected to discuss bilateral cooperation in maritime security, including possible supply of coast guard vessels to the Southeast Asian country, with his counterpart Alberto del Rosario, according to the sources.

The year 2013 marks the 40th anniversary of the beginning of exchanges between Japan and ASEAN, with a special summit of the heads of the 10 ASEAN members being planned in Japan in December for the first time in a decade.

Kishida is expected to smooth the way for the regional gathering and strengthen a network of countries that call for the observance of international rules, including free passage in sea lanes.

The Abe government, which was launched in late December after a landslide electoral victory by the Liberal Democratic Party, is also eager to forge close ties with such countries as India and Australia.

One of the Abe government's strategies, while embracing Japan's alliance with the United States as the cornerstone of its foreign policy, is to improve ties with China by strengthening cooperation with these countries in such areas as security, the economy and energy.

ASEAN consists of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/01...amid-china-row

[hakz2007]

DFA: China now has 'three strikes' against PHL

It might not be long before China is declared out.

Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on Thursday said that China has committed three strikes against the Philippines and other claimant nations of disputed territories in the West Philippine Sea, and the Philippines continues to be vigilant against any more.

In a Palace briefing following Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida's courtesy call on President Aquino, Del Rosario enumerated a laundry list of violations committed by China against international law, the first being is its excessive claims in the South China Sea.

Read more

[hakz2007]

Japan pursues diplomatic offensive in Philippines visit

A two-day visit by Japan's foreign minister to the Philippines appears to be part of a well-coordinated diplomatic offensive by Tokyo to strengthen ties with other Asian countries amid tensions with China.

Fumio Kishida's meetings yesterday with President Benigno Aquino and Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, comes as both countries are engaged with separate maritime disputes with Beijing.

Read more

[Nabartek]

Originally Posted by Monchhichi

ASEAN members urge India to intervene in disputes with China
NEW DELHI - Southeast Asian countries are urging India to intervene to help resolve bitter territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea, saying it was "crucial" to maintaining peace and stability.

ASEAN, the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, called on India - which vowed to promote co-operation on trade and maritime security with the countries - to take a more decisive stance in the region.

Vietnamese Premier Nguyen Tan Dung asked for New Delhi's direct intervention over South China Sea territorial disputes while Myanmar President Thein Sein said India's role was "crucial" to ensuring peace and stability in the region.

But India's foreign minister insisted the issue did not require his country's intervention.

China claims most of the South China Sea, including waters close to the shores of its neighbours. These areas include major sea lanes and are believed to hold vast mineral and oil resources.

China's claim is contested by the Philippines as well as Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam, which have overlapping claims to some or all of those same areas.

"Doing something about it includes not doing something about it" Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid said, adding that issues of sovereignty "need to be resolved between the countries concerned".

"China knows it, India knows it that there is too much too loose if we don't overcome issues from time to time," he said.

Relations between India and China, who have an unresolved border dispute, are often prickly and marked by mutual distrust - a legacy of a brief border war in 1962 -- but they are trying to broaden trade ties despite political tensions.

China's trade with ASEAN countries is far greater than India's, but 20 years after the latter launched a "Look East" policy New Delhi's trade with Southeast Asian nations is increasing.

Trade between the two was $80 billion last year compared with $47 billion in 2008.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/5...tes-with-china

I think ASEAN, should increase economic ties with India not only to promote good relations between the region and India but also, in case China decides to make it hard for ASEAN economically, we will be less affected because we have another basket for our eggs. After all, India has a billion people, too and is a growing tech hub

[s_w_stars]

Originally Posted by hakz2007

DFA: China now has 'three strikes' against PHL
Read more

3 strikes China is out? Be interesting to note how PH is going to act. Or maybe just blustering in front of Japan's Foreign Minister.