Why the US embassy is ‘concerned’ over China’s Manila Bay reclamation project

MANILA, Philippines – Ahead of an upcoming impact assessment on reclamation projects in Manila Bay, the United States Embassy in Manila “expressed concerns” over these projects, citing their impact on the environment.

But it’s the embassy’s second point of concern, according to spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay, that’s become particularly of note.

SEN. Francis Joseph “Chiz” Escudero said he believes that the United States (US), through its embassy here, has “no business” to demand or impose on the Philippines to blacklist a Chinese firm which it accused of alleged fraudulent practices.

The senator was asked to comment on the concern of the US Embassy in the Philippines regarding the negative long term effect of the reclamation and the involvement of a Chinese construction firm in the ongoing reclamation of Manila Bay.

A portion of the reclamation project is near the embassy. It claimed that the China Communications Construction Co. (CCCC) helped in the construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea that the Chinese transformed into military outposts.

“Just because it (US) blacklisted a company doesn’t mean we must also blacklist it automatically. Do we have such a treaty with America?” he said in Filipino and English.

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“I think The US should make representations with the Philippine government if they know something that we don’t,” the senator said in a forum on Thursday.

Escudero added, “I’m very careful about this because while I appreciate whatever suggestions may come from other countries, my guard is also up with respect to any interference coming from any country whether it is the United States or some other country.”

“Because anything they do or say here the motivation is to pursue their national interest. So, let’s take it with a grain of salt,” he said.

Pressed to comment on the embassy’s claim that the CCCC was involved in the militarization of the SCS, he said, “Were there such findings from [concerned agencies in] the Philippines or was it the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) of America who made that [claim]?”

US Embassy spokesman Kanishka Gangopadhyay, in a statement on Wednesday, said, “We have expressed concerns about the potential negative long-term and irreversible impacts to the environment, the resilience to natural hazards of Manila and nearby areas, and to commerce.”

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“We are also concerned that the projects have ties to the China Communications Construction Co., which has been added to the US Department of Commerce’s Entity List for its role in helping the Chinese military construct and militarize artificial islands in the South China Sea,” he said.

Gangopadhyay added, “The company has also been cited by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank for engaging in fraudulent business practices.”

“We continue to support high quality, sustainable, and transparent investments to benefit the Filipino people and will continue to engage with the appropriate authorities on this matter,” he said.

Escudero said the embassy should air its concern with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which approved the project.

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Gangopadhyay said the embassy “is in regular discussions with the government regarding ongoing reclamation projects in Manila Bay.”