Foreign Affairs chief cites Philippines’ high investment in China

FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said Wednesday that while the Philippines values China as a trading partner, there is a huge gap in terms of investments poured by businessmen from one country to the other.
Speaking before members of the Makati Business Club, del Rosario told foreign and local businessmen that he hopes for a breakthrough to end the tense maritime standoff in the shoal so that both countries can resume normal relations.
Del Rosario noted that at present, the Philippines investments in the China have reached $3 billion, but China’s investments in the country are even less than half of that.
This is a far cry from the $60-billion aggregate trade and investments that both China and the Philippines pledged to infuse in one another’s country within a period of five years. The agreement was reached during President Benigno Aquino III’s visit to China in September last year.
“We have a long-standing friendship with China, with incredible historical people to people links. China is our third largest trading partner. We benefit from our relations with China, just as China benefits from its relationship with us, but Philippine investments in China amount to nearly $3 billion while China’s investments in the Philippines amount to less than $1.5 billion,” he said in his keynote speech.
During the President’s visit to China, del Rosario also said that both the Philippines and China also committed to work bilaterally in terms of trade, while areas of contention such as the issue on the West Philippine Sea would be abstracted and dealt with separately.
China-Philippines trade amounted to $27.7 billion in 2010, making China the third largest trading partner of the Philippines. For 2011, total trade rose to $32.2 billion.
However, he claimed that during his recent visit to Washington, D.C., for the “2-Plus-2” meeting with US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, there was no mention of the current impasse with China over Scarborough shoal, which the Philippines calls Panatag shoal of Bajo de Masinloc.
“There was no discussion in containing China as we are of the belief that a thriving China is good for the US, just as a thriving US is good for China. Furthermore, we are of the belief that a thriving US and a thriving China would be good for all of us,” he said.
The Philippines and China are locked in a maritime standoff since April 10 after a Chinese surveillance ship blocked the arrest of fishermen aboard eight fishing vessels who had been caught illegally poaching from the lagoon. Since then, the two countries have not left the area and this became a cause for an escalation of tension.
Manila is pursuing a three-track resolution to end the stalemate – political track via the Asean; legal track via the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos); and diplomatic track via continuing talks with Beijing. China has rejected the Philippines’ bid to bring the territorial dispute before the Unclos, saying the matter would best be resolved bilaterally.
As a result of the naval confrontation, Chinese officials tightened the importation rules for certain Philippine agricultural products like bananas while Chinese tour operators have stopped offering vacation trips to the Philippines, fueling speculation that Beijing was exerting economic pressure on Manila.
Del Rosario, however, said the news reports of economic sanctions allegedly being imposed by China on the Philippines were “inaccurate,” but added a decision by Beijing’s flag carrier, China Southern Airlines, to reduce its flights to the Philippines is “unfortunate.”
More recently, China and the Philippines announced that they are separately imposing fishing bans in the contested shoal, in a move seen by many could lead to the conclusion of the impasse.
For his part, Ramon del Rosario, MBC president, said the soonest that the territorial row over the oil- and gas-rich atoll would be resolved, the better for investors. He said that the issue is an important one for the local business community.
“As investors we would like to see lasting peace and stability in the region. For those of us who are citizens of this country, we would certainly like to see the Philippines to be accorded the respect due all independent and sovereign nations that we have come to expect in the modern world. Thus, it is most disconcerting to see what we believe as valid territorial claims being brushed aside with the transigence and disregard. This issue is also important to us because it is about securing our country’s economic interests,” he said.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/05/17/foreign-affairs-chief-cites-philippines-high-investment-china-221828

Each year in February the Philippines hot air balloon festival returns to Clark Pampanga. Visitors planning to attend this popular event in Clark opt to stay in Clearwater Resort which is considered to be the best hotel in Clark Philippines. This hotel in Clark is also a favorite holiday destination near Manila during Holy Week, Easter, Christmas and New Year holidays also. This hotel in Clark is also one of the best resorts near Manila for families to relax, unwind and enjoy the outdoor facilities of this popular resort in Clark Philippines. Even during school breaks, families would take their children to enjoy the outdoor facilities of this popular resort in Pampanga which is located quite near to Manila.

Families with small children prefer outdoor resort in Manila clean and safe place in Pampanga Clark to bring kids to relax and unwind.

Clearwater Resort and Country Club is well regarded by trip planners and Manila residents as one of the best resorts in Pampanga for family bonding. This is one resort near Manila that enables guests to relax and unwind, away from the stress of living in the city.

Travel groups recommend Clearwater Resort for this Holy Week and Easter holidays because this hotel resort in Clark Philippines is a private resort that is near Manila and is highly recommended for families with children to relax and unwind in a safe and secure location. Clearwater Resort is one of the resorts in Pampanga that are highly recommended for visitors coming to Angeles City or Clark Pampanga during Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, New year and especially during the Philippines Hot Air Balloon Festival.

Quiet place for rest and relaxation near Manila, in Subic, Angeles City Pampanga and Clark Philippines is something that residents of Manila travelling to the north for a short getaway are looking for. Today, Clark is no longer just a golfer’s paradise, it appears to tourists and visitors who are not just interested to play golf in one of the best golf courses in Pampanga. This resort in Clark Philippines is generally considered by Manila residents to be a good place for family trips in Pampanga.

Top rated tourist spots and places to see and visit in Clark Philippines include Clearwater Beach Resort Clark Pampanga. It is in this private resort in Pampanga that Manila residents travel out of town on a short getaway to savor the American lifestyle of laidback leisure living by the famous lake of Clark Airbase. Clearwater is one of the best hotel in Clark and the resort is a very popular venue for rest and relaxation especially for golfers after a round of golf at one of the best golf courses near Manila. Clark is home to some of the best golf courses in Pampanga.

Pampanga Angeles City and Clark Philippines is a popular choice for event organizers and company event planners because it is safe, secure and conveniently accessible from Manila. The short travel time from Manila to Clark means there is more time for participants to enjoy the programs, relax and unwind in the outdoor facilities of this highly recommended resort hotel in Clark.

For inquiries and bookings, Please click here to contact Clearwater Resort for inquiries and reservations now

Clearwater Resort and Country Club, Clark Pampanga
Creekside Road near Centennial Expo,
Clark Freeport, Pampanga Philippines 2023
(045) 889-5151 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177
Joanne or Jeremy or Loydha

Getting to this lake and beach resort in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Philippines

After entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway MA Roxas, passing the stand-along wine shop called Clark Wine Center on the right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, one will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on the right just 200m down.

Family Bonding by the famous lake of Clark Pampanga

http://www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay

Email: Inquiry@ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Please click here to contact Clearwater Resort to reserve a venue for your upcoming event now

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

While in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

For jobs and business investment opportunities in the Philippines please visit http://www.yilp.com

Hot Line for what’s happening in Clark: 045 889-5151 or 0927-940-2669 ask for Loydha

0915-542-6250 (Jeramie)