Philippine Left slams China’s ‘imperialist incursions’

MANILA, Philippines – “China is no longer a socialist state. It is now entertaining imperialist ambitions,” Renato Reyes Jr, Secretary General of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), said on Tuesday, April 22.

Progressive groups under the militant umbrella group BAYAN conducted a protest rally in front of the Chinese consular office in Makati City on Tuesday, demanding an end to China’s incursions on the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

They are also pressing Beijing to respect Philippine sovereignty and the international dispute process under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This is their third rally at the same venue, in the same issue.

“The Philippine Left has long considered China a capitalist-oriented country,” Reyes said.

Reyes also said the militant groups oppose the Aquino administration’s “alliance” with the United States on the issue. 

“The US will eventually try to take advantage of the situation to insert itself and to somehow find basis to justify its becoming a Pacific power,” he said.

US President Barrack Obama is set to visit the country this week, as part of his 4-country Asian tour. He is expected to discuss with President Benigno Aquino III a range of bilateral concerns, including defense cooperation.

“The Obama administration will try to exploit the territorial and maritime disputes between China, Japan, the Philippines, and other countries in the region. Obama will perpetuate the lie that the US will helps us against China’s incursions,” Reyes claimed.

BAYAN will stage another rally tomorrow at the US Embassy in Manila regarding this issue. 

Meanwhile, Reyes claimed the best way for the Philippines to deal with foreign aggression is to stand as an independent, sovereign nation. 

In a statement on Monday announcing its plan to stage a protest rally at the Chinese consular office, the organizers said: “China’s claim over 80% of the South China Sea is like Italy claiming ownership of all lands under the Roman empire. We extend our solidarity with the oppressed Chinese peoples who suffer under a bureaucrat capitalist government.” – Rappler.com