East Asia Tonight: Philippine-Vietnam drills, Asian markets tumble, Cambodia canal

On East Asia Tonight (Aug 5), the Philippines and Vietnam hold their first joint coast guard drills in Manila Bay; Japan, Korea and Taiwan stocks fall on US economy worries; and Cambodia launches a Mekong canal link to the sea. We also take an exclusive look at China and Pakistan’s cooperation in Gwadar and its security risks.

[YWang-vlzh]

The Mekong River delta belonged to Cambodia to begin with. It was stolen by the Vietnamese, who now have the audacity to charge rent per container.

[alexlim]

Vietnam properganda about Cambodia canal going to affect the environment that is not true because they are going to lose income from Cambodia. Every time shipping container from Cambodia passes through Vietnam, they charge around $300 per container, some time Vietnam hold the shipments for months just to give Cambodia a hot time.
Vietnam is not a friendly neighbor.

[johnny-ihes]

A tanker has sank in stormy weather in Manila Bay. The Philippines and Vietnam joint drills in Manila bay will encompass search and rescue simulations as well as fire and explosion prevention training, according to a Nikkei Asia report.

[rexteo]

Cambodia has own sea canal now, not like Ethiopia situation. Khmer 17mil population not to depend on Viet and Thai.

[tpt]

quite clear that Kra Canal is the next project. With Chinese navy vessels based in Ream Naval Base guarding these 2 canals for Chinese ships to enter Kunming via Adaman Sea and Indian Ocean.

[liarliar]

Cambodia has a coast and should develop it if that's possible. China is the one country which can make it happen.

[rexteo]

Malaysia submarines fleet is not agree with the North Malaysia Sea Economic Zone. Malaysia Royal Melayu Regiments, Royal Ranger Regiments, Royal Special Forces, Watanish Regiments.

[DaniloManuntag-expw]

Vietnam and the Philippines can readily agree over overlapping maritime claims.

[radenalfaropayas]

Why not build roads and ports on its shores instead of a canal?

[johntwohy]

Vietnam seeks China’s help in railway construction and modernization.

[graceoropesa]

Isn’t the BRI dead? Even Xi Jin Ping downplays as China deals with its economic downturn.

[BulliTs]

Cambodia is going into a Chinese debt trap. 😂

[kangbule]

Don't look at Asia's development with your narrow vision. China's strong infrastructure capacity will connect South Asia and prosper together.

[chrysllerryu]

great, now less fresh water will go to vietnam. what is next? damming the mekong river?

[jacku]

Well done Cambodia for seeking China's help to be self reliant.

[bryanotieno]

Selling panic across Global Securities especially Equities just buy during the dip

[garridecano]

Vietnam and Japan defeated China even they are small countries. China has one child policy and has a population decline.

[ramongabutina]

Would view w reasonable understanding Vietnam's occupation of part of Phil-owned Spratly Islands as it is a few kms further compared to Phils & did not go beyond it, unlike China which leapfrogs to try to claim the entire SCS + parts of EEZ seas of Phils, Vietnam, Indonesia,Malaysia & Brunei..Goodwill between Phils & Vietnam was probably built years ago when both countries especially Vietnam were heavily harrassed/provoked in their EEZ seas, as there were reports Phil/Vietnam's fish boats were helping each other in distress situations & respective coastguard personnels were exchanging pleasantries in the sea. China seems to have now eased up on better militarily-prepared & determined Vietnam.

[liar-liar]

They must thank the US Israel EU leadership

[happymelon]

- The US had previously possessed the Philippines as a colony from 1898-1945 including brutally suppressing a war of independence killing over 200k Filipinos, including the use concentration camps and torture;

- Since gaining its independence from the US, Washington has used the Philippines as part of a long-standing policy of containing China along the "Southeast Asia front;"

- The US has maintained the presence of its military forces in the Philippines for decades, breifly facing expulsion under the adminstration of President Rodrigo Duterte, then expanding it recently with the election of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.;

- The US has previously and deliberately lied to the Philippine public about fabricated threats Chinese healthcare products posed during the recent healthcare crisis;

- The US is now militarizing the Philippines through a $500 million military assistance package, using ordinary maritime disputes in the South China Sea as a pretext to stir up conflict between the Philippines and its largest trade partner, China;

- Philippine subordination to the US has caused the nation to fall behind the rest of Southeast Asia, having the 2nd largest population but 6th largest GDP;

- Like Ukraine, the Philippines stands to lose much more if the political capture, use, and abuse of the nation continues by Washington;