VP Kamala Harris visits the Philippines

https://www.rappler.com/nation/what-to-expect-kamala-harris-visit-philippines-november-2022/

What to expect: US Vice President Harris’ visit to PH

RAPPLER NOV 16, 2022 6:47 PM PHT By SOFIA TOMACRUZ

What to expect: US Vice President Harris’ visit to PH INFO

Washington's commitment to Manila in the South China Sea, as well as efforts to deepen economic ties will take centerstage during United States Vice President Kamala Harris' visit to the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines – United States Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to travel to the Philippines from Sunday, November 20, to Tuesday, November 22, in a trip that will make her the highest ranking US official from the Biden administration to visit the country so far.

Harris will also visit Thailand for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum this week.

The swing of the US Vice President through Bangkok and Manila will seek to cast the US as a “better partner” for countries in the region, a senior US administration official said.

It will also show that the US remained committed to Southeast Asia amid its competition with China and war in Ukraine added the official.

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Kamala Harris to visit Palawan on November 22

The visit, scheduled for November 22, will make Vice President Kamala Harris the highest-ranking American official to visit the island chain adjacent to the Spratly Islands

The Vice President’s trip comes on the heels of US President Joe Biden’s current and ongoing trip to Southeast Asia, where he attended summits of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and G20.

“This work builds on the President’s current and ongoing trip in Southeast Asia. And when you put the two together, I think it shows the deepening of our engagement in this region,” a senior US administration official told reporters in a call.

In the Philippines, Harris is expected to meet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte. Harris will likewise leave the capital of Manila to visit Puerto Princesa, Palawan – a move that seeks to demonstrate Washington’s commitment to back the Philippines in the South China Sea.

Harris is the latest senior US official to visit the Philippines, after her husband, Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, State Secretary Antony Blinken, Deputy State Secretary Wendy Sherman, and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin traveled to the country.

Here’s a rundown of what to expect when Harris makes her first trip to the Philippines from Sunday, November 20, to Tuesday, November 22:

In Manila

On Monday, November 21, Harris is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Duterte and Marcos separately. With Marcos, talks will focus on the long-standing Philippines and US security alliance, as well as efforts to strengthen economic ties.

In line with these discussions, Harris is expected reaffirm Washington’s defense commitments to Manila and underscore ties between the two countries in maintaining peace in the South China Sea.

On the economic front, Harris’ visit will include the announcement of new initiatives on the accelerating the Philippines’ transition to clean energy and strengthening its digital economy, both of which have been identified as priority areas by the Marcos administration.

While in Manila, Harris will also meet with activists to discuss human rights and democracy in the Philippines. The US leader will later hold a moderated town hall with young Filipinos on empowering women.

The issue is a personal advocacy for Harris, with the discussion in the Philippines a “first of its kind” for the US Vice President during an overseas trip, considering it will see Harris “directly engaging” with the public in the country.

In Palawan

Harris will then travel to Puerto Princesa in Palawan to meet with the Philippine Coast Guard and local communities in the area on November 22. The move is significant because Harris will be the highest ranking US official ever to visit the island, which sits at the edge of the West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea.

“This visit demonstrates the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to stand with our Philippine ally in upholding the rules-based international maritime order in the South China Sea, supporting maritime livelihoods, and countering illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing,” a senior US official said.

In Palawan, Harris will also deliver a speech that will highlight the rule of law in the sea as well as freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. The move is likely to irritate China with whom the Philippines remains in dispute in the South China Sea.

Harris’ visit is likewise symbolic as China continues to claim waters off the coast of Palawan in the West Philippine Sea, despite the Philippines’ 2016 arbitral award that struck down Beijing’s claims in the area as illegal.

Beyond rhetoric, Harris visit to Palawan, “will be a clear signal that the US is committed to deepening the alliance and to upholding alliance commitments in the South China Sea,” said Gregory Poling of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative in Washington DC.

For Harris, meanwhile, the visit to Palawan is part of efforts to demonstrate her brand of diplomacy.

“The Vice President feels very strongly about getting outside of government buildings and engaging directly with people who often don’t get to interact with high-ranking US officials,” a senior US official said.

“It’s a prime example of the way the Vice President seeks to engage on the world stage.”  – Rappler.com

Thrilling.

Cheers, Steve.

Better US than China. 

Too much to read . . . .

Good news.

Was on Cyprus in 2014 when vice president Joe Biden visited.  The locals were thrilled, lined the streets to watch his car go by.  First US VP since Lyndon Johnson to visit.  The visit changed nothing on Cyprus,  still divided by a DMZ, no pictures allowed.

Better US than China.
-@duonguhm

Why?

Neither give a flying rats about people in general, but only one has a history of bombing the *** out of countries that don't have the means to attack the invading country.

I'll leave others to look at history and decide which is which.

@Fred. this is a social forum. Share your opinion, don't attack others' view.

Now, my view 'better US than China':  I am a tax-paying American who has a Filipino family, whose country was napalmed from birth to 12. 

• Sihanoukville, Cambodia:  it might as well be China's sovereign land. Oh, locals cannot enter Chinese hotels and casinos.
• Laos:  same
• Mekong river running through Laos?  River dams are paid by China to transfer electric power back to Mainland.  So much for the river livelihood.
• Viet Nam thrives in their trades with China but just cannot seem to trust CCP.
• I don't recall USA ever claims South China Sea as its own. 
• Dumaguete in Negros Oriental:  China-front money is trying to build a major reclamation project on its waterfront with promise of jobs, jobs.  In actuality Chinese workers are brought in from Mainland to do the construction work in those countries.   
• For better or worse, when US military was stationed at Subic, I understand the local economy benefited to the tune of $1B, per annum.
• POGO workers in Manila, Cebu?  Chinese workers earn twice or more than locals.
• (some) Chinese restaurants in Africa ban Africans.
• Among my entire Filipino clan I have not heard much enthusiasm for greater Chinese fingerprints in this country.

I certainly don't want China to own the 9-dash line and its 5-trillion dollar marine and mineral deposits in the South China Sea. 

Thanks PalawOne for the sharing the news of VP Harris visiting Philippines.

Much of written history were written under the author's perspective. Boots on the ground show a different perspective. This is not to say written history is false. I had been working in China on/off in 1994 & 1995. I was based in Singapore. Working in there amongst the locals gave me an impression they are repressed. In August 1995 I was leaving for Wuhan Airport (yes, that Wuhan) there was huge picket line on the road at the entrance of the airport. The bus stopped 300 feet from the entrance for it is not safe to challenge them. They were not happy about land grab by the government for the airport, my chaperone/interpreter told me. I got off the bus along with others and I started taking pictures thinking this is newsworthy. I was not able to find this picket incident in Google. My local guide/chaperone tried to dissuade me saying the cops will take me away. Foreigners get a chaperone and will be responsible for the foreigner's actions. After a couple of pictures I stopped because she's already crying and in fear of hers and my safety. Yes, better US than China.

@Jackson4 In London a few weeks ago, the consult general of China Embassy helped grab a Chinese protester from the street into their compound to beat him.  Now that was in the sovereign country of United Kingdom. And China-backed police stations are setting up in Europe and NYC uninvited or unauthorized.  WTF?

Better US than China? I read it as Better us than China.  us/US. . . .You & me and everyone one else in Philippines.

`

Let's agree, there's right and wrong, truth and lies on both and all sides gents?

Believing VP Harris a wonderful ambassador for the U.S. now in the Philippines

Previous US Presidents visited the Philippines, today VP Kamala Harris. I thought the Philippines is more important strategically to the US now more than ever.

Donald Trump, 2017

Barack Obama, 2014 & 2015

George W. Bush, 2003

Bill Clinton 1996, 1994

....

In 1899, US annexed the Philippines, in part, another power (such as Germany or Japan) might do so.

(I wasn't there, I Googled it.)

....

I still believe "Better US than....".

Hello everyone,

Sorry but I had to temporarily close this thread for review.

Thread reviewed. I would encourage members to try to be neutral and to share their views on the visit itself.

Have a nice day,

Bhavna

@PalawOne Have you heard VP Harris talk?

VP Harris going to the Philippines is really a non event. She is a figurehead only with no power to do anything. Empty suit.

Except change a split vote in the senate? Empty suit, lmao.

Cheers, Steve.

@bigpearl You ask me Steve.... she's as "useless as tits on a boar hog!"

I didn't ask you tpiro, I simply said that in a split senate she holds the winning vote. Sounds like power to me.

As for tits on a bull

Cheers, Steve.

@bigpearl oh... ok... no problem...simply said- sa

Except change a split vote in the senate? Empty suit, lmao.
Cheers, Steve.
-@bigpearl

Following up on the subject on VP having no power, the former VP had power too. Remember the recent Presidential confirmation?

I remember a VP whose family made millions off his position.

The Big Guy

@bigpearl not anymore... Georgia just made dems majority without her vote...

@Enzyte Bob and nobody looks... too focused on getting at the orange man...  corruption is Rampant

@Enzyte Bob and nobody looks... too focused on getting at the orange man... corruption is Rampant
-@Wellsfry

The US system is exceptionally corrupt, and the arms industry is a big problem.

Whilst ever you have people who profit from wars voting for wars, you have a massive issue.

The same applies in many countries. The UK parliament has the 'Friends of Israel' group, and that's made up of people with a financial interest in exports to Israel.

Not judging the rights and wrongs of Israel, just the corrupt swine that make money whilst pretending to have political morals.

https://readsludge.com/2020/01/13/the-m … -from-war/

Biden is a lot corrupt, but the orange idiot was just as bad.

No party politics here, just deep disdain for the majority of politicians, or at least the corrupt ones (Perhaps the majority)

Right or wrong Fred they are all tarred with the same brush and fools like me keep putting them in power, Australians are starting to look at alternative leaders but that will be a long time coming and I won't be around to see it happen.

Cheers, Steve.

@Enzyte Bob and nobody looks... too focused on getting at the orange man... corruption is Rampant
-@Wellsfry
The US system is exceptionally corrupt, and the arms industry is a big problem.
Whilst ever you have people who profit from wars voting for wars, you have a massive issue.
The same applies in many countries. The UK parliament has the 'Friends of Israel' group, and that's made up of people with a financial interest in exports to Israel.
Not judging the rights and wrongs of Israel, just the corrupt swine that make money whilst pretending to have political morals.

https://readsludge.com/2020/01/13/the-m … -from-war/

Biden is a lot corrupt, but the orange idiot was just as bad.
No party politics here, just deep disdain for the majority of politicians, or at least the corrupt ones (Perhaps the majority)
-@Fred

Yada Yada Yada. . . . .

You are possessed. . . . .The only thing that awakens you from your deep slumber is something to rant about against the US.

You probably never been to the US or Philippines but you being an Indonesian Citizen seem to make your home on this forum.

Right or wrong Fred they are all tarred with the same brush and fools like me keep putting them in power,
Cheers, Steve.
-@bigpearl

Not all, but way too many, and not much will change until holding any financial interest in matters they can vote for or fix is stopped.

Sadly, the only people that can vote to change it are the people making cash from it. New people are difficult to get in because interest groups make sure they pay enough for the corrupt ones to get into power.

Don't click if you dislike naughty words

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyt3Op2dTc0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2ymjCqaAsY

Fred, if you live in Indonesia then that's an outlandish statement/comment given what has just transpired there with regards to pre marital sex, same sex couples no matter for nationals or visitors/tourists, talk about stupid. All countries make undesirable policies and those w@nkers are elected by you and me,,,,, and then we complain. Complain again.

OMO.

Cheers, Steve.

transpired there with regards to pre marital sex, same sex couples no matter for nationals or visitors/tourists, talk about stupid.

Cheers, Steve.
-@bigpearl

I am unsure because I am a heterosexual Virgin 😁

Your loss mate, try and get out a bit more.

Cheers, Steve.

Your loss mate, try and get out a bit more.
Cheers, Steve.
-@bigpearl

my wife won't let me go out 🤣