Philippines Drops Railway Funding Request from China Amid South China Sea Disputes

Philippines Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said Manila look for other partners to finance a $5 billion railway project after China apparently backed out. Image via Inquirer.net

The Philippines is dropping its request for Chinese loans to fund three railway projects totaling more than $5 billion. The decision comes as recent tensions between the two countries in the South China Sea have hit fever pitch.

Manila, which said it has started discussions with other Asian countries for the financing, seemed to frame the move as a lack of interest from Beijing.

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by Han Zhen

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