China's SCS Strategy Thread

[Sardaukar20]

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Probably just another standard news of Covid-19 vaccine cooperation between China and Indonesia. But there is mention of 'maritime cooperation'. So I thought this could be an interesting development in the SCS and Indian Ocean. Notice in one paragraph they mentioned cooperation on the BRI and the 'Global Maritime Fulcrum'.

Wang said that he hoped the two sides can sign cooperation documents on the Belt and Road Initiative and Global Maritime Fulcrum at an early date and called for more efforts to promote big projects, such as the Jakarta-Bandung highspeed railway and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Corridor.

The Global Maritime Fulcrum (GMF). I haven't heard or read much about it. Apparently it is an Indonesian grand strategy to position itself as a force between the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean. That's according to the introduction paragraph in this article:

Indonesian president Joko “Jokowi” Widodo first came into office in 2014 promising to turn the country into the “Global Maritime Fulcrum” (GMF)—a force between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Consisting of both domestic and foreign policy elements, many had hoped that the GMF would serve as Indonesia’s first actionable grand strategy in decades.

In terms of maritime cooperation, both China and Indonesia have not yet mentioned military cooperation. Maybe it could happen in the future as BRI and GMF interests start to converge. That would be interesting to watch.

Nevertheless, its still a big if. But if it can happen, its implications would be serious for the US Indo-Pacific strategy, and off course for India. With India constantly threatening to block the Malacca Straits (even though its a stupid idea), its only natural for China to start making friends with Indonesia. No matter how unlikely it is for India to blockade the Malacca Straits, its still prudent to have a Plan B in case India does go crazy.

 

[Temstar]

Some activity around Whitson Reef (Union Banks), large number of engineering and communication ships are gathering.

 

[Hendrik_2000]

Well finally they sign the agreement to build bridges in Mindanao. Yes China need to help Philippines with infrastructure development specially on the Mindanao island. I thought there is talk of building railway line in Mindanao as well

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1349627313185558533

China, Philippines sign contract to build cross-sea bridge in Davao
China and the Philippines signed a contract on Thursday to build a cross-sea bridge in Davao City in southern Philippines, a flagship project under the country's "Build, Build, Build" program.
The Samal Island-Davao City bridge project, which will cost approximately 400 million U.S. dollars, is one of the key G-to-G cooperation projects between China and the Philippines, the Chinese Embassy to the Philippines said in a press release.

The project is a two-way four-lane 3.86-km bridge to connect the Island Garden City of Samal to Davao City across the Pakiputan Strait.
The main bridge is 1.62-km long and will be designed in a cable-stayed structure with the twin towers and double cable planes.

The construction duration is estimated to last 60 months. Once completed, the bridge will provide a transportation link between Metro Davao and Samal Island, reducing the transportation time and enhancing internal mobility and external linkage to support the economic and tourist growth potential of the local region.
It will also increase the economic activities and improve the livelihoods of the local people.

The Chinese government and the Philippine government will soon kick off the loan agreement negotiation of the project. The project is expected to break ground in the first half of 2021, the Chinese embassy said. (via Xinhua)

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[PhSt]

Well finally they sign the agreement to build bridges in Mindanao. Yes China need to help Philippines with infrastructure development specially on the Mindanao island. I thought there is talk of building railway line in Mindanao as well

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1349627313185558533

China, Philippines sign contract to build cross-sea bridge in Davao
China and the Philippines signed a contract on Thursday to build a cross-sea bridge in Davao City in southern Philippines, a flagship project under the country's "Build, Build, Build" program.
The Samal Island-Davao City bridge project, which will cost approximately 400 million U.S. dollars, is one of the key G-to-G cooperation projects between China and the Philippines, the Chinese Embassy to the Philippines said in a press release.

The project is a two-way four-lane 3.86-km bridge to connect the Island Garden City of Samal to Davao City across the Pakiputan Strait.
The main bridge is 1.62-km long and will be designed in a cable-stayed structure with the twin towers and double cable planes.

The construction duration is estimated to last 60 months. Once completed, the bridge will provide a transportation link between Metro Davao and Samal Island, reducing the transportation time and enhancing internal mobility and external linkage to support the economic and tourist growth potential of the local region.
It will also increase the economic activities and improve the livelihoods of the local people.

The Chinese government and the Philippine government will soon kick off the loan agreement negotiation of the project. The project is expected to break ground in the first half of 2021, the Chinese embassy said. (via Xinhua)

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This is good news, there has been propaganda circulating both in local and foreign media about how China's promises to invest in the Philippines have not materialized, this development should prove these malicious accusations wrong and just a product of Western MSM smear campaign.

It is also important to note that people in Mindanao (southern island) have a more positive view of China than people in Luzon (northern island). Bridging the gap between the two islands when it comes to economic disparity will help China in the long term by empowering a portion of the country that has a positive attitude to Chinese influence.

 

[silentlurker]

is also important to note that people in Mindanao (southern island) have a more positive view of China than people in Luzon (northern island

why? demographics?

 

[ansy1968]

why? demographics?

@silentfurker,

Cause they view the policy of IMPERIAL MANILA as IMPERIAL. there is a joke that a lumber taken from Mindanao the revenue return for the whole province is that of a toothpick. Metro Manila suck all the revenue and they decide where to allocate that resources, a legacy of Spaniard colonizer improved by the American. That's why there is a federal movement to decentralize power away from Manila, but is being oppose by the elites and oligarch who control Congress. They know if successfully implemented, they will loose power and influence, If you do research, all president and major political figures came from Luzon and most of them settled in Manila. So Duterte is unique, he deviate from the norm cause he came from a backwater region call Mindanao.

You see Duterte prioritize other Region first before his own home city, to set an example for future President. That project was on the card early on his term but he knows that he needs to solve the horrendous traffic in Manila first. the former Chinese ambassador work hard to provide the GRANT on two bridges across the Pasig river to alleviate the traffic in EDSA.

@PhSt

It is also important to note that people in Mindanao (southern island) have a more positive view of China than people in Luzon (northern island). Bridging the gap between the two islands when it comes to economic disparity will help China in the long term by empowering a portion of the country that has a positive attitude to Chinese influence.

Another thing , the Chinese (Hua qiao and newly arrive from the mainland) dare to go to the province to trade, establish a business and settled there so they're a visibly part of the society. While the elites and oligarch who owned the land is in Metro Manila enjoying their wealth.

 

[ansy1968]

@Hendrik_2000 , @Crang,@ silentlurker,

Here's another one and the most significant, this Railway will connect Clark free zone with Subic free port, both former US bases. Now why didn't the US think of this before when they were leasing these bases. It will improve the economy in that region especially in manufacturing and tourism, instead they make the two adjacent town (Olongapo in Subic and San fernando in Clark) a R&R zone (prostitution and drugs)for its service men. Leaving behind countless lovechild and social problem as a result.

This Railway will lower production cost and improve logistic and is part of decongesting Manila , establishing central luzon as a regional growth center and a transportation hub. With these the political power will also shift away from Imperial Manila. Now its obvious what benefit this Railway will bring the question is why now, it's because of Duterte and also of China willingness to provide the loan. Past President always follow foreign institution (IMF and World Bank) recommendation and most of it is PRIVATIZATION of PUBLIC UTILITIES and GOV'T ASSET. In exchange for an onerous loan. now that's a definition of a DEBT TRAP.

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7 hours ago — MANILA, Jan. 16 (Xinhua): China and the Philippines signed a contract on Saturday to build a railway on the main Luzon Island, the Chinese ...

 

[windsclouds2030]

@Hendrik_2000 , @Crang,@ silentlurker,

Here's another one and the most significant, this Railway will connect Clark free zone with Subic free port, both former US bases. Now why didn't the US think of this before when they were leasing these bases. It will improve the economy in that region especially in manufacturing and tourism, instead they make the two adjacent town (Olongapo in Subic and San fernando in Clark) a R&R zone (prostitution and drugs)for its service men. Leaving behind countless lovechild and social problem as a result.

This Railway will lower production cost and improve logistic and is part of decongesting Manila , establishing central luzon as a regional growth center and a transportation hub. With these the political power will also shift away from Imperial Manila. Now its obvious what benefit this Railway will bring the question is why now, it's because of Duterte and also of China willingness to provide the loan. Past President always follow foreign institution (IMF and World Bank) recommendation and most of it is PRIVATIZATION of PUBLIC UTILITIES and GOV'T ASSET. In exchange for an onerous loan. now that's a definition of a DEBT TRAP.

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7 hours ago — MANILA, Jan. 16 (Xinhua): China and the Philippines signed a contract on Saturday to build a railway on the main Luzon Island, the Chinese ...

Prof. Michael Hudson elaborated the economic systems of Financial Capitalism vs. Industrial Capitalism, and why such development that you pointed out wouldn't possible back then or even nowadays. It's a very good reading from a very knowledgeable American expert and highly recommended.

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[ansy1968]

Prof. Michael Hudson elaborated the economic systems of Financial Capitalism vs. Industrial Capitalism, and why such development that you pointed out wouldn't possible back then or even nowadays. It's a very good reading from a very knowledgeable American expert and highly recommended.

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@windsclouds2030

A great read, thanks very much, Pepe Escobar is one of my favorite journalist, a straight shooter ,I read a lot of his article from Asia Times and The Saker . I like the way they explained the Chinese strategy of using their owned kind to fight for you. And here is The best quote from Pepe.

Pepe: Exactly, because of what they study at Beijing University, Renmin or Tsinghua

is not exactly what they would study in big American universities. Probably what they study in the U.S. is what not to do in China. When they go back to China, what they won’t be doing. It’s an object lesson for what to avoid.

Well said PEPE well said.. know the enemy and know yourself.

 

[BlackWindMnt]

@windsclouds2030

A great read, thanks very much, Pepe Escobar is one of my favorite journalist, a straight shooter ,I read a lot of his article from Asia Times and The Saker . I like the way they explained the Chinese strategy of using their owned kind to fight for you. And here is The best quote from Pepe.

Pepe: Exactly, because of what they study at Beijing University, Renmin or Tsinghua

is not exactly what they would study in big American universities. Probably what they study in the U.S. is what not to do in China. When they go back to China, what they won’t be doing. It’s an object lesson for what to avoid.

Well said PEPE well said.. know the enemy and know yourself.

I'm also big fan of pepe wish he did more English podcasts.

Micheal Hudson together with Mark blyth and David Graeber made more interested in economic history and a more Marxist view on macro economics.