Closer maritime security cooperation high on Vietnam trip agenda

President Duterte is moving to forge closer alliances with Russia and China, traditional rivals of the United States, after getting irritated with the latter’s alleged interference with local affairs.

Apart from his planned frequent trips to China, the President has bared plans to travel to Russia to revitalize the country’s trade and investment relations.

Duterte said he already held preliminary talks with Russian and Chinese leaders on how to boost economic cooperation in various sectors.

“I will not break ties but we will open up alliances with China and (Russia). I had a good talk with Prime Minister (Dmitri) Medvedev. They are waiting for me,” the President said in a press conference after the oath-taking of new Malacañang Press Corps officers at the Palace.

TRIBUTE TO CENTENARIANS — President Rodrigo Duterte presents to Lourdes Marquez, aged 108, a copy of the Implementing Rules and Regulation for the Centenarian Act during a ceremony in Malacañang Monday. The Centenerian Act awards P100,000 to citizens who have reached the age of 100. (Jerome Ganzon/Manila Bulletin)

 “After China, I think I will go to Japan and I’ll go to Russia. Never mind about the ratings. I will open up the Philippines for them to do business, alliances of trade and commerce,” he added.

Duterte said boosting economic cooperation on telecommunications, shipping, and airlines was among the topics he discussed with Medvedev on the sidelines of a recent regional summit.

“I told him I’m about to cross the Rubicon between me and the United States at least for the six years. I would need your help in everything – trade, commerce and I will open up,” the President said.

Despite a lingering territorial dispute in the South China Sea, the President is also seeking closer trade and investment relations between the Philippines and China.

“I have talked to Xi Jinping. I’m going to China. I will open up all avenues of trade and commerce. They can come in,” Duterte said.

Duterte said since the Constitution has yet to be amended, he could give Chinese investors “60 years” to lease land in the country for their businesses. “It’s not a matter to hinder investments, it’s a matter of principle that my land should only be for my people,” he said.

Duterte also expressed readiness to open the airline sector to investors from Russia and China amid complaints some airline companies are causing inconvenience to passengers. He told the business especially the airline firms to “observe humanity” in extending service to the public.

“You provide everything, all public conveyance,” Duterte told airline firms. “If you go bankrupt, I can invite China and Russia to put a new airline here,” he added.

While he is vigorously seeking trade cooperation with other nations, the President ruled out any “military alliances,” especially with the United States in dealing with South China Sea.

“If America wants to go to war about China Sea, he can have his day. I will not participate. I will not join a war that would only destroy my country because we are not really up to arms of the opposite side. Nothing will happen to us,” he said.

He affirmed that the government will no longer join joint sea patrols with foreign countries to avoid raising tension in the disputed water.

Before the planned visits to China and Russia, President Duterte is set for an official trip to Vietnam on September 28 and 29. High on the agenda of President Duterte is enhancing the country’s strategic partnership with Hanoi.

The President is expected to push the closer cooperation on maritime security, trade, agriculture and fisheries during his meeting with Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang and other government leaders, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Duterte’s two-day journey to Vietnam is part of his introductory visits to close neighbors in the region, said DFA spokesman Charles Jose.

His Hanoi visit also coincides with the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Vietnam.

“It is expected that the President and the Vietnamese leaders will discuss various areas of bilateral exchanges including maritime cooperation, enhancement of law enforcement and defense cooperation, increasing two-way trade and investments, strengthening of joint cultural activities, as well as heightened exchanges in agriculture and fisheries,” Jose said in a Palace press briefing.

“The leaders are also expected to exchange views on regional and international issues. The relations between the two countries have been growing and deepening steadily since formal ties were established on July 12, 1976,” he added.

Jose confirmed that the President is prepared to discuss the South China Sea issue during his visit to Vietnam. The Philippines and Vietnam are among the Asian nations with overlapping claims in the South China Sea.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Genalyn Kabiling

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