Most, if not all Chinese people from all over the world are friendly. They are hard-working and many, especially those domiciled in the Philippines have emerged to be billionaires. At least 5, maybe more Chinese taipans control the economy of the nation. Lucio Tan, a naturalised Filipino who was born in Amoy, Fujian owns Philippine Airlines, Fortune Tobacco, and Asia Brewery. John Gokongwei, another naturalised Filipino owns JG Summit Group of Companies that include Cebu Air Pacific, Robinsons Galleria and Robinsons chain of Department Stores. His net worth is reported to be in excess of $4.2 billion. There is also Henry Sy of SM Shoemart and Banco de Oro plus many more. His family’s net worth exceeds $6.2 billion. There is no doubt that these people of Chinese origin regard themselves as Filipinos by heart. Thus, the term ‘Chinoy’ which is a contraction of Chinese and Pinoy was born.
But what about the Chinese government in Beijing, China’s military in particular? Not only are they NOT friendly, but also greedy and hostile to their neighbouring countries. They have become a powerful fire-breathing dragon grabbing a major part of South China Sea, otherwise known as the West Philippine Sea.
China has encroached on territories belonging to the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan and other Asian countries. Their military strength is far superior than the other claimants. They have 6,000 combat aircrafts versus Manila’s 43; 9,000 tanks versus the Philippines’ measly 100; and 3 million men in their armed forces as against 100,000 Filipino combatants. There will surely be a bloodbath of Filipinos should an armed conflict erupt.
So what can David do against Goliath?
There is usually a Chinatown in many parts of the world just as there are many Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and migrants in the same places.
Main Street in Blacktown is teeming with Chinese shops. China products are sold in Sydney’s department stores like Myers and David Jones.
In New York, dozens of Filipinos and Vietnamese have joined forces as they called for a boycott of Chinese products and urged Beijing to stop its creeping aggression toward countries around the West Philippine Sea.
“Boycott Made-in-China,” said Eric ? Lachica of the U.S. Pinoys for Good Governance, which organized the rally held on June 22 in front of the United Nations headquarters. (The FilAm.net)
“We are global citizens scattered throughout the world who can mobilize and galvanize public opinion against China,” said rally speaker Joe Ramos. “China’s export economy is very vulnerable.”
The Boycott-China campaign will “change history,” harnessing the support of millions of Asian Americans. People Power in America could start with the 1.5 million Vietnamese in the U.S. and the approximately four million Filipino Americans. Filipinos are not against Chinese people or Chinese Australian friends, but if we value our economy and our freedom, we should boycott and not buy Chinese communist products.
It is high time that Filipinos in Australia do something about the situation in the West Philippine Sea. One way of doing it is through peaceful means. Boycott China products that dominate the Australian market.
It may simply be a small rock that hit Goliath on his forehead but the impact could be just as devastating. It may finally make the Chinese dragon withdraw its unlawful claims in the West Philippine Sea. DMC