CHINA on Tuesday hit Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for “sowing discord” by allegedly offering missiles to President Rodrigo Duterte, an offer that he rejected.
The Department of Foreign Affairs refused to comment on the report, saying it is Japan which should answer China’s allegations.
While China lauded Duterte’s rejection of Abe’s offer of missiles, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying slammed Japan’s action.
“The Japanese leader is still going to extremes to sow discord and play up regional tension. Such practice harbors ulterior motives and such mentality is extremely unhealthy,” Hua said.
DFA spokesman Charles Jose declined to comment on Hua’s statement.
“Hua’s statement is in reference to Japan. Japan should be the one to respond to it,” Jose said.
Hua said China appreciated Duterte’s commitment to an independent foreign policy.
She also said there was no tension in the South China Sea and that the situation was improving with all concerned parties going back to bilateral negotiations to settle their territorial disputes.
The Philippines, along with Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia has a territorial dispute with China.
Under the Aquino administration, the Philippines brought the dispute before the Arbitral Tribunal, asking it to declare China’s nine-dash line policy is excessive and illegal.
The tribunal ruled in the Philippines’ favor last year, but China has rejected the court’s jurisdiction.
In Davao City, the local government is expecting an influx of Japanese investments after the visit of Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last week.
“We are confident as Davao City has successfully gained more interest from the Japanese businessmen,” said Davao City Investment and Promotions Center head Lemuel Ortonio.
He said Japanese businessmen should “invest, live, and play” in the city and take advantage of the city’s robust economy and ease of doing business.
In a video presentation, Ortonio showed the top 10 preferred investment areas in Davao, the diverse tourism activities, and priority government programs of the local government during the investment forum that Abe attended.
The 10 investment areas are agriculture business sector; tourism and recreational facilities; light manufacturing and assembly; property development; health and wellness, educational, and sports facilities; environmental protection and green projects; information and communication technology; generation of new sources of energy; transportation and infrastructure; and public-private partnership projects.
Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, speaking for Mayor Sara Duterte during the Philippines-Japan Investment Forum held at the Waterfront Insular Hotel on Jan. 13, said one reason for them to be confident and invest in the city is the stronger peace and security programs laid down by the administration of the mayor.
The forum, held during Abe’s visit, was attended by at least 20 Japanese businessmen and representatives from such companies as Marubeni, Mitsubishi, Itochu, Sumitomo, Toyota, and Mizuho.
Executives from Chodai Company Limited, Sumifru (Philippines) Corporation, and Concentrix, which have all established base in the city, also shared their business success stories with the Japanese delegation.
