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Analyst: PH should separate economic ties, sea dispute with China

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<figure class="op-interactive"><div id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1_Container"> <ivs-player id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-vid="1387459" data-ivs-floating="1"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/iframe-parent.js"></script> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script> </div></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>MANILA - The Philippines should separate its economic relations with China from their maritime row, an analyst said Saturday.</p><p>Lyle Morris, a senior policy analyst of the RAND Corporation, said geopolitics and economics are not mutually inclusive.</p><p>He said Manila can afford to have a stronger stance in the maritime dispute at the same time have a healthy bilateral trade and investment relations with Beijing.</p><p>&quot;I know that&#x27;s a difficult thing to do when you have China investing a lot of money in your country, but to the extent you are deterred from Chinese warnings to possibly take back or to cease investing in a country if that country undertake actions in territorial disputes in South China Sea sets a negative or bad precedent I believe,&quot; Morris told ANC.</p><p>&quot;I mean China has an interest as well. I think China does send signals about economic coercion and in some ways countries can call their bluff. And I think in some examples that you find, China will not follow through with that threat.&quot;</p><p>Morris added that the increasing presence of Chinese vessels in Pag-asa Island (Thitu Island) should not deter the Philippines from pursuing fishing and construction activities on the island.</p><p>&quot;I also hope that the Philippines is not deterred from undertaking construction activities,&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;I&#x27;m aware that the Philippines also needs to continue to rebuild its runway on Pag-asa and that has yet to be undertaken but I hope that the Philippines continues with the project.&quot;</p><p>Over 600 Chinese vessels have been circling Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea since January this year, the military earlier said.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/29/19/hundreds-of-chinese-vessels-circling-pag-asa-island-military">Hundreds of Chinese vessels circling Pag-asa Island: military</a></li></ul>

<p>MANILA - The Philippines should separate its economic relations with China from their maritime row, an analyst said Saturday.</p>

MANILA - The Philippines should separate its economic relations with China from their maritime row, an analyst said Saturday.