U.S. And China Tensions Extend To Philippines As U.S. Express Concerns About Manila Bay Reclamation Tied To Chinese Firm

Philippine President Marcos Jr. ordered an indefinite suspension of several land reclamation projects in Manila Bay. Due to rising U.S. and China tensions, the U.S. expressed its concerns over the projects’ involvement with a Chinese company.

On August 17, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered an indefinite suspension of the 22 major land reclamation projects in Manila Bay. Due to the rising U.S. and China tensions, America had publicly expressed its concerns over the damages the projects will cause to the environment after being involved with a Chinese company.

An article from The Journal Record states that the Chinese company involved was blacklisted by Washington, D.C. for its contribution to setting up military in Chinese island bases in the South China Sea which further provoked the U.S. and China tensions in the contested waters. On another note, the suspension will allow a legal compliance and a study of the effects of the land reclamation projects on the environment.

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U.S. And China Tensions On Environment

According to Palatino, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga stated that scientists such as climate change experts, oceanographers, and geologists will review the land reclamation projects that were approved by the past administration. Further reports say, environmental groups, mostly conducted by real estate companies, have also organized protests against the projects to instead build high-end restaurants, hotels, casinos, and entertainment centers in the bay.

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