Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
THE Philippines has decided to scrap a $4.9-billion funding deal with China for three rail projects.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the sudden withdrawal came after Beijing failed to respond to funding requests on the projects.
The cancellation comes amid rising tensions in the South China Sea between the Philippines and China.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista
Last month, Chinese vessels deliberately collided with Philippine vessels delivering supplies to soldiers stationed in Ayungin Shoal.
Bautista, however, attributed the decision to China’s disinterest, not territorial disputes.
In late October, the Philippines withdrew from China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) after Beijing did not reply to queries on the status of funding for the railway projects.
“We have three projects that won’t be funded by the Chinese government anymore. We can’t wait forever, and it seems like China isn’t that interested anymore,” Bautista was quoted as telling a forum of German and Philippine businessmen in Makati.
The Philippines became the latest country to exit China’s BRI, which includes Italy.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was not among the 23 national leaders who attended last month’s BRI summit in Beijing, marking the 10th anniversary of the $1-trillion globe-spanning infrastructure-building program, according to reports.
China had pledged almost $5 million to build two rail lines in Luzon and one in Mindanao under the BRI, a keystone of Beijing’s foreign policy offering Chinese-backed loans for major infrastructure projects, mostly in developing countries.
The Philippines is also locked in a dispute with China over Bajo de Masinloc, the shoal that has been the traditional fishing ground of Filipino fishermen.
Chinese ships have been driving away Filipino fishing boats bound for the shoal. In August, the Chinese set up a floating barrier at the entrance to the shoal to keep Filipino fishers out.
The Philippine Coast Guard promptly removed the barrier.
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