News Update
As of November 16, 2017 (Thursday)
1. Manila Bulletin
PH, China sign 14 agreements
The Philippines and China signed Wednesday a total of 14 agreements in various areas of cooperation. The signing was witnessed by President Duterte and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang after their expanded bilateral meeting in Malacañang Wednesday.
According to Li, China has been “heartened by the boom in the practical cooperation between our two countries.” He noted how after the first 10 months of this year, China has become the Philippines’ top trading partner, with China having imported some 13,000 batches of tropical fruits from the Philippines and 14 new flights have been opened between the two countries. Li also said that the practical cooperation between the two countries in areas such as infrastructure, agriculture and poverty alleviation has also been going strong.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/11/15/ph-china-sign-14-agreements/
2. Philippine Star
Trump pledges $16.3 M for Philippines drug war, Marawi
Despite concerns over drug-related killings, US President Donald Trump announced Washington’s $2-million support for drug demand reduction programs in the Philippines. In the same statement, Trump announced an additional $14.3 million in aid for the rehabilitation of Marawi City.
The Philippines and the US released a joint statement sending a clear message to the region about the strength of the alliance and continued close bilateral cooperation on mutual interests and shared regional challenges.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/11/16/1759437/trump-pledges-16.3-m-philippines-drug-war-marawi
3. Daily Inquirer
North Korea slams Trump for insulting Kim Jong-Un
North Korea’s state media on Wednesday slammed Donald Trump for insulting leader Kim Jong-Un, saying the US president deserved the death penalty and calling him a coward for cancelling a visit to the inter-Korean border.
The members of the ruling Kim dynasty — past and present — enjoy near god-like status in North Korea, which has demonstrated extreme sensitivity to any remark that might be seen as mocking or disrespectful of the leadership. The editorial also took a dig at Trump’s failure to tour the demilitarized zone (DMZ) dividing the two Koreas. “It wasn’t the weather,” the editorial said: “He was just too scared to face the glaring eyes of our troops.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/945401/north-korea-donald-trump-kim-jong-un-south-korea-nuclear-weapon- missile-military
4. Manila Times
China to send envoy to North Korea
China will send a special envoy to North Korea this week, state media said Wednesday, after US President Donald Trump concluded an Asian tour to rally support against Pyongyang’s nuclear threats.
Friday’s trip by President Xi Jinping’s special envoy, Song Tao, is likely a diplomatic push by China to resolve the nuclear standoff, though the official Xinhua news agency merely said he will discuss last month’s Chinese Communist Party congress.
http://www.manilatimes.net/china-send-envoy-north-korea/362957/
