The Dark Side of The Chinese Influence on Philippines

Before the Spanish colonization during the early 15th century, China had sent traders to the Philippines which started the beginning of significant influence within the culture of the Filipinos. The Chinese colonization in the Philippines have brought blissful and marvelous influences to the Filipinos over the last centuries. The influences of Chinese people are filled with good fortune and advantage as it contributes to the color and enhancement of the Filipino culture. These Chinese influences turned out to be integral and enlightening on the part of Filipinos until Xi Jingping took control over the state of China, becoming president in the process. As Xi Jingping came by the title “president”, China started to concoct plans such as building seven artificial islands on top of reefs and shoals in the Spratly archipelago. Moreover, the Chinese built airfields that could accommodate large aircraft and deep harbors where Chinese warships could dock. Chinese people became successful in establishing these plans and came in contact with the Philippines in which they became close with the means of striking the Filipinos anytime. Invading the Philippines would be victorious on the part of the Chinese people as they would gain an immense amount of economic value.

Much to the Filipinos’ dismay, President Rodrigo Duterte had forged an alliance to China and handed his loyalty to the China’s president and his forces. Amidst the issues happening that involves the doings of China’s forces, President Duterte and his officials would remain silent and seem to display a form of ignorance to the concerned Filipino citizens. This is due to President Duterte’s strong affiliation and loyalty to China’s forces in which the Filipinos view as unreasonable. As Duterte’s officials continue to become irrational towards the issues, the Filipinos would continue to experience fluctuations and problems among the Chinese. Chinese vessels are now starting to appear near island of Thitu and the Philippines considered this as illegal. While Duterte forbids China to came in contact with the island and threatens to use military force, Filipino critics can see the anxiety in Duterte as he threatens China for too many times already. According to an article, Duterte refuses to get into conflict with the rising power he has courted for trade and investment. Protesters descended on the Chinese embassy in Manila to counter these problems, such as their disagreement of the Chinese loans for infrastructure in the Philippines, including a massive dam-building project. Another problem is the issuing of the Bureau of Immigration and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) officials on few alien employments permits. Senator Joel Villanueva scolded them as “there’s a flood of Chinese workers and from their numbers, it’s clear there are illegal workers”. However, the most notable issue that occurred was the sinking of a Filipino fishing boat in the West Philippine Sea by a Chinese vessel. With this action done by the Chinese people, it had formed an unpleasant public relations situation for the government of President Rodrigo Duterte as the leader defends these doings of the Chinese. President Duterte claimed this to be an accidental occurrence as the Chinese vessel have no intention in crashing with the fishing boat of the Filipinos. As President Duterte continues to defend the actions of the Chinese people, the Filipino citizens and critics referred the incident as an act of cowardice due to the unwillingness of President Duterte in taking a stand of Justice towards his countrymen. In fact, spokesman Salvador Panelo has demanded an explanation from the Chinese and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana which uncovers the revelation of the Chinese vessel crew did not assist the Filipino fishermen in the sinking vessel.

As Macabenta pointed on Duterte failing to respond to the incidents and issues that the Chinese has done, this led to the nation of questioning the Duterte government on the way they are handling the relations with China. The Philippines and China would continue to form and share a long enduring relationship. As time passes by in their long withstanding historical ties, they have shared inter-ethnic relations, territorial disputes, maritime conflicts, diplomacy and foreign policy, trade and economic partnerships. In addition, Soriano included the statement of Dr. Michael Gonzales about the relationship of Philippines with China is by far the longest the Philippines has ever had with any country outside Southeast Asia since the Chinese started their influence on Filipinos. Throughout history, Filipinos have been colonized by the Spanish and Americans in which Filipinos would thought it to be advantageous and pleasant. During this colonization, these notable countries have deceived the Filipinos into thinking that they have an alliance. However, Filipinos have been tricked and eventually came under the command and rule of the Spanish and Americans. Notably, the Americans granted Filipinos sovereignty in which they would live in the country with freedom but it turns out that the Americans manipulated Filipinos’ freedom and would still be under their rule. This colonization reflects on the invasion of the Chinese people in these contemporary times in the Philippines. At first, President Duterte swore an alliance with China and the Filipinos were convinced that the Chinese people are their allies. As events started to unfold, the Chinese people are revealed to be a threat and hindrance to the Filipinos and their political, military, and economic aspects. Thus, the Chinese people took advantage of the Philippines and their variables, affecting the lives of the Filipinos. Since then, the Filipinos are continuously being misled and betray by other states, despite the positive influences and benefits that they have been receiving. 

In conclusion, being overpowered by other nations is the result of the manifestation of fear and creation of unwise decisions established by the leaders of the Philippines. Ever since the start of the colonization in the Philippines, the outcome would be Filipinos being fooled and taken advantage of other states as the Filipino leaders and officials would merely do nothing in order to make a stand of their freedom.

Reference List

• Basic Philippine History. (n.d.). 
• Soriano, J. (2018, July 12). China’s cultural influence on the Philippines. 
• Diaz, P. (2017, January 10). China’s colonization of the Philippines. 
• Robles, R. (2018, December 22). Chinese workers ‘flood’ the Philippines, yet Duterte’s officials ‘don’t know’ how many there are. 
• Macabenta, G. A. (2019, June 18). China invades the Philippines — a bad dream come true. 
• Protesters warn of Chinese 'invasion' of Philippines. (2019, April 9).