The Irrational, Racist Fear of China » CounterPunch: Tells the Facts, Names the Names
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The Spratly Islands could actually be the only proof that China is 'flexing its muscle', or that it is ready to defend its interests.
The Government of the Philippines, a former US colony, is at the fore-front of harsh criticism directed at China.
I went to talk to Philippine academia, to top scholars in Manila, and I managed to speak to several of them.
Opinions were generally similar, summarized by Roland G. Simbulan, Senior Fellow and Professor in Development Studies and Public Management at the University of the Philippines, explained:
"Frankly speaking, those Spratly Islands are not so significant to us. What's happening is that our political elites are clearly encouraged by the US to provoke China, and there is also a big influence of the US military on our armed forces. I would say that the Philippine military is very vulnerable to such type of 'encouragement'. So the US is constantly nurturing those confrontational attitudes. But to continue with this type of approach could be disastrous to our country. Essentially we are very close to China, geographically and otherwise."
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The Spratly Islands could actually be the only proof that China is 'flexing its muscle', or that it is ready to defend its interests.
The Government of the Philippines, a former US colony, is at the fore-front of harsh criticism directed at China.
I went to talk to Philippine academia, to top scholars in Manila, and I managed to speak to several of them.
Opinions were generally similar, summarized by Roland G. Simbulan, Senior Fellow and Professor in Development Studies and Public Management at the University of the Philippines, explained:
"Frankly speaking, those Spratly Islands are not so significant to us. What's happening is that our political elites are clearly encouraged by the US to provoke China, and there is also a big influence of the US military on our armed forces. I would say that the Philippine military is very vulnerable to such type of 'encouragement'. So the US is constantly nurturing those confrontational attitudes. But to continue with this type of approach could be disastrous to our country. Essentially we are very close to China, geographically and otherwise."
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