THE Philippines was seen to renew effort at engaging China, even as it strengthens further its economic ties with Japan when the world’s leaders meet in November during the Apec 2015 Summit.
Analyst and De La Salle University Political Science Prof. Richard Heydarian said China and Japan—Asia’s two biggest economies—are key to the country’s sustained economic expansion. The Philippines, however, is caught in a bitter territorial dispute with China.
“President Aquino should definitely hold, at the very least, a formal dialogue with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss ways to avoid accidental clashes and unwarranted escalation in the contested West Philippine Sea [South China Sea]. It would also be ideal for both to affirm that bilateral relations won’t be defined by a single issue and [should instead] focus on their common interest, particularly in trade and investments. This was essentially what Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Xi did in Apec [Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation] last year,” the academician told the BusinessMirror.
“As for Japan, [Mr.] Aquino should continue to build on our already very robust strategic and economic ties, especially as Japan contemplates patrolling the South China Sea. Japan could also play a more prominent role in infrastructure development and contemplate more manufacturing investments in the Philippines,” he added.
Apec 2015 COO Guillermo Luz said the Apec CEO Summit anticipates the participation of 800 delegates from all over the world.
He said the Philippines targets to attract as much attention not just from Apec economies but also from non-Apec countries.
“The Apec Summit draws interest from Apec and non-Apec economies. People working in the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland are coming along so the interest is not limited to Apec economies,” he said at a recent discussion of the subject with journalists at the BusinessMirror.
When asked if there are opportunities for meetings between President Aquino and the Japanese prime minister, as well as Mr. Aquino and China’s president, Luz replied: “In this meeting, there’s always an opportunity for one-on-one meetings. We have 20 economies, or 20 guests coming into the Philippines many of whom are speaking at the CEO Summit.”
Luz said he has no access to President Aquino’s schedule but pointed out there is an opportunity for the parties to reach out and talk to each other.
“We would try to attract as much attention not only from the 20 other economies but to non-Apec economies to come to the Philippines and take a look at the opportunities here. Our message to them is to look beyond the stereotypes,” Luz added.
“When you’re thousands of miles from the Philippines and you are relying on news and what people write, it’s easy to stereotype. We tell people to come here, have a look. We get the people to look beyond the stereotypes. They will see opportunities here, so we would like to bring them in,” Luz said.