The real superpower is China, no longer US

Is there something more than meets the eye in the United States’ refusal to help resolve the rift between the Philippines and China?

I have more questions in mind, and I know my fellow Filipinos also sense there could be something more behind this. It seems the tables have been turned—the United States is now afraid to get the ire of China, thus making it appear that China is now the real superpower.

Another possibility is that the United States is behind all this so that the Philippines will be forced to buy military hardware from them, specifically those old and decrepit war machines that make life shorter for soldiers. Or is there a US-China conspiracy?

On another vein, the whole world is swamped with Chinese products. Even locally manufactured garments and a large number of assorted merchandise are labeled “Made in China.” Isn’t it time we stop patronizing its products? Our local market has suffered because there is cheap labor in China and local investors go to China for more profits. This is not to foment hostility toward Tsinoys and other Chinese nationals here, but it is not farfetched that our territorial disputes with China could lead to this.—FRANCIS S. GALVEZ, [email protected]