CHINESE PORTS AROUND THE WORLD

 

China's international port acquisitions involve strategic economic, political, and military ambitions that, as most analysts and experts suggest, would allow China to take a strong lead and control not only global trade dominance but also coercion when needed.

There are more or less a hundred ports worldwide that China owns, controls, or has a major stake in, which gives it the right to use them for military purposes when times require, as likely will happen, many would say.

Its port in Djuobuti is now a Chinese military base after it was used for trade and later became a military base.

The Khalifa Port in the UAE is another example, as China has made projects. Given these events, which reveal China's true intentions, it is very alarming to trust China with its port ownership or acquisitions, which are now suspected to be entirely unknown to the UAE government after the US intervened.

Therefore, given that these events reveal China's true intentions, it is alarming to trust China with its port acquisitions, which are now spread worldwide.

The problem with the BRI projects is the loans extended by China. Still, in reality, the projects are consumed by Chinese Loans, contracts, and labor, and the receiving country is disadvantaged. 

Under the mask of BRICS, China is utilizing these trade alliances to defeat the US dominance in trade first and later in military power after it acquired ports, projects, and loans that would subject countries to its influence and power.

For now, the situation is seen as an intent to greater cooperation in trade with countries in BRICS membership, but we suspect that China will eventually take over power once times come up, and these member countries, who are weak and powerless, will become their subjects.

Now, in retrospect, the Philippines should skeptically see these developments, knowing that China's moves are very evident and that not in the long future, our country will be confronted by the reality that pressures and influence in trade for its overcapacity is somehow a factor that our thinkers should immediately consider for study and consideration.

The country should likewise engage in more intellectual advancement while filling the gap in technologies we still lack. Yet, the moment is now that our sectors should be called upon to assess global developments with countries that are on the move of claiming powers over all, like China.

As we insist, the country's manufacturing sector is very low in activity, and the volume of products of all kinds should be encouraged for all its citizens, who can create and make them all prosper in the name of relaxed regulations and control.

It is now the time to revolutionize business, manufacturing, trade, and technology, which would give us the leverage to compete globally and make us respected all over with our brands and technologies, products that could influence other actors.

Sometimes, it is observed that our rules and regulations, requirements for start-ups, and incoming local investments are discouraged by the huge hurdles in the ease of doing business in the country. There must be a channel for local micro investors that can thrive successfully in sheetrock and areas of our economy that will make our growth tower in these times of need.

Government agencies, offices like the DENR, DTI, the  DILG, and other regulating bodies in the government should extend their hand in reaching and helping the difficulties of start-ups for local and small businesses. We see that this country is far from being mature in our global trade, and it will take a while before most of our companies will become of power in globalization.

 

This recent event in the West Philippine Sea, where a Chinese coast guard ship had water cannoned our Philippine vessel, is a signal for the government to shift its policies towards increased defense budgets for national security reasons.

The policies intended or proposed herein for  study or consideration by our officials shall embrace approach that will benefit the economy of the country as well. 

Defense and Economy.

Defense and economy shall be intertwined. To attain economic stability, defense expenditures shall benefit technology, jobs, skills, local talents, and foreign currency savings to improve the economy.

We should first manufacture our naval and coast guard ships to the advantage of Filipino-controlled corporations and businesses and then acquire those technologies abroad through partnerships on FDIs.

 Local Manufacturing is very significant, as it will cure the country's unemployment problem by building defense industries that will spur commerce all over the country. Imagine the demand for parts and machinery, and businesses will flourish, creating many jobs.

The problem in the West Philippine Sea is a sign that our government should hastily improve our defense capabilities not on the revenue of foreign countries, but for the benefit of the Filipino people earning technology and  the economy, not otherwise, which is the current setup.

We should view our defense programs and actions to align with the country's economic prosperity. It is a matter of priority that our financial problems will not be affected by our spending on defense budgets, 

Because of the current state of our economy, it is imperative that our government take initiatives and actions that will serve our people's interests and improve their living conditions. 

THE SUPPLY CHAIN AND THE PHILIPPINES

 It is in the country's best interest that we maintain a positive discussion about its economic concerns, which will improve the conditions of our people and our capacity to navigate the world of wealth and politics. 

While the country is suffering on all fronts regarding our ability to exist in trade and politics, actions must be undertaken to remain strong and resilient in the challenges of the onslaught of economic windfalls.

The problem of supply chains controlled by China threatens our survival and will remain a threat unless action is taken to control or manage the situation. In this problem, the government should infuse liberalized policies and regulations on businesses, industries, and manufacturing, which these sectors should be focused on by the government.

The liberalized business sector should carefully balance our liberalized import policies, especially in exporting products. Maintaining this equilibrium is crucial for the overall health of our economy.  

As all countries are concerned about China's handling of the supply chain problem, the Philippines has a crucial role to play. We must guard against the supply chain being controlled and monopolized by China, ensuring our own economic sovereignty.

Therefore, our government should liberalize the private sector and private enterprises to achieve the goals of growth, superiority, and dominance in the region. By the way, the constitution's goal is to provide public welfare for our people; therefore, the government must emphasize this sector more to achieve GDP growth and an economy superior to others.

POVERTY INCIDECE RATE IN THE PHILIPPINES

The recent PSA report on the country's poverty incidence is worth noting. This matter is a significant factor in the government's policymaking regarding the current data impacting the country. As revealed in this survey, we must resolve the conditions of poverty of

our people.

This matter should pay attention to studies and strategies for our concerned offices, particularly the executive branch,  that immediately take action to address the problem.

As this matter emphasizes the injection of new measures to combat the country's poverty problem, it is therefore desired that the people actively participate in shaping the policies that should be prioritized by the government with the participation of the private sector.

Business.

The government should now redirect its policies to promoting the private sector as the crucial means of resolving the problem. As embodied in our constitution, the role of private sectors and private enterprises must shape the landscape of our economic growth and productivity, paving the way for a better life for everyone.

This opinion is based on the recent article ZAMBOANGA BARRM THE POOREST IN THE COUNTRY

 As needed, business activity in the country is at its weakest compared to China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and other countries in the Southeast Asian region. There has been an explosion of information regarding these comparisons, and something must be done to level the playing field for us.

Compare the countries around us, particularly Vietnam, which has already surpassed the country in terms of economic growth due to its foreign investments, which is becoming a matter of concern for the governance of this country to seek the goal and security of our people.

While these facts and data are presented to us, action must be taken, and a priority condition should be made promptly.

MANUFACTURING

Manufacturing needs to be our government's priority. Without a solid manufacturing base, our economy cannot hope to lift our people from poverty.

Manufacturing will solve our economy's problems, including foreign debts, inflation, employment, and technology, which will help us provide public welfare for our people. 

Export

The export economy is the best of all because it is about strengthening our financial freedom and the power to not be bullied by foreign economies; it is about self-reliance and independence from foreign sources. It is National Security.

So, the poverty incidence report is something that our government should shift focus on industrial sector of our economy. Because it is only by industrialization of our economy that our country can help our people to have jobs, income and all opportunities that will eradicate the incidence of poverty.

 

The invasion of foreign products

 We are looking at a massive economic miracle unfolding in China. We should take notice of this impressive growth that any country should also embody in its laws and policies. Similarly, we should catch up with the distance that China is creating everywhere in the world.

For example, the vast production of EV cars going to the EU has attracted attention among members, and they are not taking preventive actions to protect their local car industries that must be saved from this onslaught of cheap EV cars from China,

There is a political touch in the situation that is hidden as the agenda of the CCP government that the EU should know more. Economic is the leverage of China in promoting its products in the EU, and there are always consequences to the matter when it comes to these political situations that are seen appearing on the horizon.

The matter of EV cars has now attracted attention in the EU as they will investigate the subsidies 

 being laid by the CCP for its EV manufacturers with the goal that cheap EV cars will kill the local manufacturers of Europe and consequently, they will dominate the landscape eventually killing other economies.

The best is yet to come with the recent concerns of the EU with these EV cars flooding their local market, that the forthcoming BRICS will pave the way more for this problem that the West will suffer more, if not greatly, under the full effect of the BRICS. Hence, the reflection of President Trump of the United States is that his America First Agenda is so far correct as this is now happening in the EU in the spike of the EV cars alone, and the EU first agenda is rising.

My proposal regarding EV cars flooding the European market now is the same as my appeal to our government proposal to act similarly to that situation in the EU.

Unless this government embraces technology or encourages our local talents in the fields shall be a good way to start this idea of progress for our economy. Unless the government loves and calls everyone to become industrialists and appreciate little products that we can turn into dollar-earning capabilities, there is no such hope for the future that this country may achieve without technology and enterprises.

There is a lack of interest on the side of the government or the public sector to patch the potentials of our people in entering the trade and industry capabilities of the population and start-up milling manufacturing in the country to save the country and put forth progress for every Filipino. embraces 

THE SUPPLY CHAIN AND THE PHILIPPINES

The pandemic season revealed that our government should pursue policies to protect the public interest and national security.

Given its significant manufacturing capabilities, China's supply chain dominance is of particular concern. China effectively controls the global supply of essential goods.

Given that supply is a critical factor for survival, we must initiate a substantial shift towards local manufacturing. This will help us gradually reduce our dependence on foreign supplies, thereby fostering stability and sustainability.

Therefore, with this current situation, the government should encourage and devote more of its energies to its local capacities, such as local capital and entrepreneurs, and invite and encourage many to engage in businesses and commerce to prop up the products that would balance this country's deficiencies.

There are wide varieties and spectrums of investments in traditional, modern, or advanced technologies that we should incur to reach the level of stability and self-sufficiency in domestic, business, and military that the country will benefit from immediately at this period to cope with the impending crisis ahead.  

peso falling against foreign currency

 Our government should intervene in or take action regarding the current situation in the US and the peso currency exchange rate to avoid economic collapse for the country and for the sake of national security. This expression or suggestion is an intervention for economic policies that should be undertaken to abate the continued destruction of the Philippine Peso against foreign currencies. The country lacks a manufacturing base or export industries to counter and balance the demand for USD, which continues to hurt the economy where inflation is at dangerous levels.

Unless drastic measures are undertaken or economic policy shifts for the country, the spiraling effect of the falling of the peso currency against foreign denominations will spark collapse and destabilize the condition of this republic.

As of now, the peso falling against any foreign currency will impact the lives of our people, and such consequences must be met with a firm government policy or a change of course in the current situation to avert anything dire at the moment.

Manufacturing

The country has very low manufacturing activity, or this sector is neglected, knowing that it is essential for economic progress. Trade imbalances between imports and exports are causing the peso to fall, and the government must understand that it should immediately install long-term protection for the peso or the economy by leveling exports and imports or, as much as possible, exceeding them and creating a surplus. 

Relaxed business regulations

While we consider our manufacturing sector an infant compared to other Western countries, particularly China, the government must consider or recognize that we should issue moratoriums on all industries. At the same time, we will move towards the level of industrialization goals. We should not apply strict regulations that discourage start-up businesses because start-ups cannot comply with the regulatory requirements of companies, causing them to close operations. 

In many areas of the country, whether urban or provincial, the government should refrain from shutting businesses because they are not faithful to regulations. While it is true that rules are violated, governance must not intend to shut businesses down at once; more so,  they may be granted periods or due consideration of recovery and rehabilitation of the climates businesses are facing or battling. To save the economy, small start-ups and struggling industries must be saved instantly by the government by granting rehabilitation periods to overcome marketing challenges and save the sectors that naturally are confronted by the ups and downs of market trends that affect them.

The government should consider the conditions and factors that entrepreneurs are fighting to keep and survive in their own fields of industry. The administration should understand that the law of supply and demand is a factor that commerce has to deal with, especially in international competition where foreign currency inflow is the goal.

Government agencies like the LGUs, the DTI, the DENR, and all other component bureaus and agencies' role in regulating industries should consider that industries must be kept alive and running. All should be included by knowing the situations of companies facing bankruptcies and closure due to market conditions and completions abroad. The good government policy should be that no businesses must close shop; instead, keep everyone alive and running for the sake of social benefits for all the population. While finance and cost operations are the main problems of an enterprise, it is not always in the country's best interest if no industry is left.

Remember, our goal is to have multi-millions of industries running in the country that will eventually surplus this economy. We understand that compliance of businesses with the government is the core  problem, but it is not always 

During this period, the government must not kill industries and save those that are failing. We understand that failing companies have lots of troubles and problems emanating from their management, resources, and other reasons not positive or healthy at all; still, the policy must be to save the skill, technology, and know-how of the business or the industry that must be saved. The government can introduce cures to companies that are failing or may subsidize them to keep the technology alive and look on the positive side of the endeavor for the country's benefit. there is employment, GDP, lessening of trade imbalances, and reducing demand for foreign products that are killing the peso rate exchange, thus saving our foreign reserves.