Foreign Affairs chief cites Philippines’ high investment in China

FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said Wednesday that while the Philippines values China as a trading partner, there is a huge gap in terms of investments poured by businessmen from one country to the other.
Speaking before members of the Makati Business Club, del Rosario told foreign and local businessmen that he hopes for a breakthrough to end the tense maritime standoff in the shoal so that both countries can resume normal relations.
Del Rosario noted that at present, the Philippines investments in the China have reached $3 billion, but China’s investments in the country are even less than half of that.
This is a far cry from the $60-billion aggregate trade and investments that both China and the Philippines pledged to infuse in one another’s country within a period of five years. The agreement was reached during President Benigno Aquino III’s visit to China in September last year.
“We have a long-standing friendship with China, with incredible historical people to people links. China is our third largest trading partner. We benefit from our relations with China, just as China benefits from its relationship with us, but Philippine investments in China amount to nearly $3 billion while China’s investments in the Philippines amount to less than $1.5 billion,” he said in his keynote speech.
During the President’s visit to China, del Rosario also said that both the Philippines and China also committed to work bilaterally in terms of trade, while areas of contention such as the issue on the West Philippine Sea would be abstracted and dealt with separately.
China-Philippines trade amounted to $27.7 billion in 2010, making China the third largest trading partner of the Philippines. For 2011, total trade rose to $32.2 billion.
However, he claimed that during his recent visit to Washington, D.C., for the “2-Plus-2” meeting with US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, there was no mention of the current impasse with China over Scarborough shoal, which the Philippines calls Panatag shoal of Bajo de Masinloc.
“There was no discussion in containing China as we are of the belief that a thriving China is good for the US, just as a thriving US is good for China. Furthermore, we are of the belief that a thriving US and a thriving China would be good for all of us,” he said.
The Philippines and China are locked in a maritime standoff since April 10 after a Chinese surveillance ship blocked the arrest of fishermen aboard eight fishing vessels who had been caught illegally poaching from the lagoon. Since then, the two countries have not left the area and this became a cause for an escalation of tension.
Manila is pursuing a three-track resolution to end the stalemate – political track via the Asean; legal track via the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos); and diplomatic track via continuing talks with Beijing. China has rejected the Philippines’ bid to bring the territorial dispute before the Unclos, saying the matter would best be resolved bilaterally.
As a result of the naval confrontation, Chinese officials tightened the importation rules for certain Philippine agricultural products like bananas while Chinese tour operators have stopped offering vacation trips to the Philippines, fueling speculation that Beijing was exerting economic pressure on Manila.
Del Rosario, however, said the news reports of economic sanctions allegedly being imposed by China on the Philippines were “inaccurate,” but added a decision by Beijing’s flag carrier, China Southern Airlines, to reduce its flights to the Philippines is “unfortunate.”
More recently, China and the Philippines announced that they are separately imposing fishing bans in the contested shoal, in a move seen by many could lead to the conclusion of the impasse.
For his part, Ramon del Rosario, MBC president, said the soonest that the territorial row over the oil- and gas-rich atoll would be resolved, the better for investors. He said that the issue is an important one for the local business community.
“As investors we would like to see lasting peace and stability in the region. For those of us who are citizens of this country, we would certainly like to see the Philippines to be accorded the respect due all independent and sovereign nations that we have come to expect in the modern world. Thus, it is most disconcerting to see what we believe as valid territorial claims being brushed aside with the transigence and disregard. This issue is also important to us because it is about securing our country’s economic interests,” he said.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/05/17/foreign-affairs-chief-cites-philippines-high-investment-china-221828

Although wines are widely available in most Asian countries, especially in Hong Kong which has eliminated import tariff on wines altogether, the availability of fine vintage wines is still very scarce. Most wine merchants offer big names, young vintages and cheaper wines for everyday consumption. Wine lovers and connoisseurs looking for something special often travel to Clark Pampanga Philippines to do their shopping at this Wine Shop in Manila.

At Yats Wine Cellars we believe that a little bit of knowledge in wine goes a long way to developing expectations in the wines we choose to buy or drink. Without expectation, it is difficult to really enjoy wine to its fullest. With this in mind, efforts are made by Yats Wine Cellars to make it as easy and enjoyable as possible for our clients to learn more about wine.

Birthday wine gifts is one of the most popular birthday gifts to give someone living in the Philippines. Fine Vintage wine from Yats Wine Cellars is a sure winner and it does not have to cost a great deal to send someone a bottle in Philippines

To avail of wine catering service of Yats Wine Cellars, just contact this wine supplier in Manila or Angeles Clark Philippines for a meeting to design a theme for the event. The venue for a wine event can be in the privacy of a home, the convenience of an office in Manila for example or in a clubhouse of a subdivision. Wine glasses and accessories necessary for wine service are included in the wine catering service. Moreover, interesting wine notes accompany the wine to help participants enjoy the event even more by learning a little bit about wine while enjoying the party. A wine steward will be present to serve the wine.

There is also an exciting collection of white wine from Burgundy at this wine shop in Clark Pampanga such as Meursault, Chablis, Chassagne Montrachet, Puligny Montrachet, Corton-Charlemagne and St. Aubin. Red wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux and Rhone are also available with a good depth of back vintages too. Visitors buy wine in Manila and Pampanga should not miss stopping at this wine shop for a few bottles of fine vintage wines to bring home.

Things to do in Clark Pampanga and Angeles City: do a little wine shopping at the famous wine shop outside of Manila called Clark Wine Center. Many people already know that one of the favorite places to visit in Pampanga Clark Freeport is the white building along M A Roxas highway of Clark which houses over 2000 selections of fine vintage wines. The Clark Wine Center is one of the places to visit, a tourist spot and a good shopping place for those staying in Angeles City, Subic or Clark Pampanga.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

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While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

Besides good restaurants to wine and dine near Manila, Subic or in Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines, those requiring assistance for hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines may log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com for more information and reservations.

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Those visitors who plan to relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic, Pampanga, Clark Philippines might make an effort to book a room at the famous beach and lake resort Clearwater Resort & Country Club. This famous hotel in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by families with children looking for a good place in Clark to see, a good holiday destination for the family to relax and unwind in the beautiful outdoor facilities. For more information, log on to www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com