1 minute read

PH open to all options to address sea row with China — Bersamin

by Catherine S. Valente ManilaTimes.net

EXECUTIVE Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Tuesday said the Philippine government is considering all options, including bringing this to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), to address the country's issues with China in the West Philippine Sea.

Advertisement

Bersamin made the statement after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. failed to mention some issues during his second State of the Nation Address (SONA), including the several reported instances of harassment by the Chinese Coast Guard against Filipinos in the disputed waters.

"It was very clear that his speech was referring to this issue. But even if I said diplomacy is the approach that this administration will take, I am sure that the President is very firm that he will not surrender any inch of our territory or sovereignty to any foreign power," Bersamin said on television.

Bersamin also responded to calls asking the Marcos government to raise the issue of Beijing's aggression to the UNGA in September. If the issue is brought to the UNGA or the UN Security Council, he said that the most the Philippines can get is a resolution, which may still be ignored by China.

"We can bring that to the attention of the UN General Assembly, but all we can hope for is a resolution," Bersamin said.

MANILA — The Philippines is projected to land in the top 15 largest economies in the world by 2075, as emerging markets are projected to outgrow their developed counterparts.

In a report released last month, Goldman Sachs said it forecasts the Philippines to be the 14th largest economy in the world by 2075, surpassing France which is projected to fall to the 15th spot by that year.

The Philippines is one of the two Southeast Asian nations on the list, with Indonesia seen becoming the world’s fourth largest economy by 2075.

Meanwhile, China and India are projected to be the first and second largest economies in the world, respectively, by 2075 and surpass the United States, which would take the third spot.

Goldman Sachs said China would overtake the US around 2035, while India should catch up by 2075.

“Second, while China and India u PAGE 2

• The significant drop in the country's inflation rate from 8.7% in January to 5.4% in June was said

This article is from: