Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan (INQUIRER file photo)
MANILA, Philippines — Boycotting Chinese businesses during the height of the tensions in West Philippine Sea will not work.
This is the view of National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.
His perspective comes, after Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri suggested Philippines should boycott Chinese products and companies.
The Senate leader made the recommendation following China’s harassment of the vessels of Philippine Coast Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines in Ayungin Shoal.
“I think, we have to look at this issue in a broader scale,” suggested Balisacan in a briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday.
” I don’t think that the history of the world, you know, that boycott will work,” he stated his opinion.
“That has been proven many times in the history of nations,” he observed.
Balisacan echoed the policy of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. of being a friend to all and an enemy to none.
The Neda chief emphasized the need to use diplomatic channels.
“All these economies, including China or even particularly China, are now part of the global value chain. Our economy is part of the global value chain,” he explained.
“We are linked to China directly or indirectly,” he pointed out.
“We just have to use the diplomatic channels to get our issues addressed. But the economy must, by all causes, be protected,” Balisacan cautioned.
“That (boycott) should not be the approach that we take in dealing with our neighbor,” he concluded.
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