Philippines’ Province of China,’ Reflags of Chinese Propaganda?
First, China claims the West Philippine Sea
Last April 2021, President Duterte publicly acknowledged his “love for China.” Before leaving to attend the Boao Forum, he said, “I simply love Xi Jinping. He understood, he understands my problem, and is willing to help.” [GMA]
China’s interference began in 2012. They conducted military activity in the South China Sea. On January 22, 2013, the Philippines initiated an international arbitration case under UNCLOS over Chinese claims of the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal.
2021, Chinese News TV (CNTV)
Chinatown News TV, previously named Chinese News TV (CNTV), aired on ANC cable news on April 12, 2021. “CNTV is the first news program that regularly reports Philippine headlines in Mandarin Chinese,” reported Rappler. After facing backlash, ABS-CBN-owned ANC canceled its partnership with CNTV.
2020, Chinese-owned “Ashley Beauty and Fumes” sold in Divisoria, “Made in the Philippines, Province of China”
A photo of a beauty product, “Ashley Shine Keratin Treatment Deep Repair,” sold in the Philippines (since 2017), has an address that reads:
1st Floor, 707 Ito Cristo St., San Nicolas, Manila Province, P.R. China.
As the picture of the product shared by a lawmaker trended on August 19, 2020, Manila Mayor Isko called for deporting any Chinese nationals selling products labeled as such. The quick-acting Mayor ordered the closure of the establishment selling the Ashley product. [Philstar]
2018, “WOW CHINA” Radio Program at “Radyo Pilipinas”
The “Wow China program” segment in Radio Pilipinas began airing in 2018. The pro-China radio program aims to improve and appreciate Filipinos’ ” brotherhood ” with China.
Recently, netizens slammed the radio program, which many Filipinos have no idea existed. It appears to be “pro-China propaganda,” sponsored by China-owned Radio International and Philippine government-owned Radio Pilipinas (PBS).
2018, Metro-Manila footbridges: “Welcome to the Philippines, Province of China”
The Duterte-China friendship began as a meme. A joke that later became sour after tarpaulin banners that said, “Welcome to the Philippines, Province of China,” were hung on footbridges across the metro on July 12, 2018.
This happened two years after the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines regarding the Philippines v. China arbitration, to which the President set aside the ruling. [Philstar]
2018, Chinese nationals flooded the Philippines
Chinese workers flooded Metro Manila. These are primarily employees of gambling operators, although there are several construction-related workers.
Chinese restaurants, drugstores, and other “Chinese-only” services sprouted like mushrooms. A “Tsinoy businessman” we interviewed said the Chinese nationals he knows say that the Philippines is a province of China.
China’s nine-dash line
In 2023, China reaffirmed its contentious territorial claim known as the “nine-dash line.” Chinese authorities unveiled an updated map asserting sovereignty that stretches its shores to the maritime territories of the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Vietnam, and Taiwan.
The 2023 edition of China's standard map was officially released on Monday and launched on the website of the standard map service hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources. This map is compiled based on the drawing method of national boundaries of China and various countries… pic.twitter.com/bmtriz2Yqe
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) August 28, 2023
