The State and the Advocate by Teresita Cruz-del Rosario

Author:Teresita Cruz-del Rosario [Rosario, Teresita Cruz-del]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Social Science, Developing & Emerging Countries
ISBN: 9781317663287
Google: 2OkABAAAQBAJ
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2014-07-11T03:17:57+00:00

The China factor

Almost simultaneously, Mr. Morita enlisted the services of Mr. Cesar Virata, a former Prime Minister of the Philippines who served during the Marcos presidency in the 1980s. Mr. Virata would play a pivotal role in convincing the Chinese government to join the regional program. Yunnan province in southwest China bordered the Mekong River and shared borders with Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar. Morita-san believed that the highest level representation was required in order for ADB to make the case to the central government in Beijing that Yunnan province was a vital member in the regional cooperation program.

ADB’s involvement in China dates back to the 1980s. It became a member of the Bank in 1986 and subsequently made its initial borrowing in 1987. The first loan commitment in 1987 amounted to US$188 million, with a follow-up loan of US$282 million a year later. By 1993, China was the ADB’s third largest borrower next to India and Indonesia, with 30 approved projects and cumulative borrowings totaling US$3 billion.12

China, therefore, was beyond doubt a major partner in the subregion, not only because of its size, but also because of its geographic location on the Mekong River vis-à-vis the other countries. As an upstream country, China’s decision on the use of the waters of the Mekong would have enormous impact on the four lower riparian countries.

With China, Vietnam, Thailand, and Laos firmly enrolled in development assistance, Mr. Morita decided it was time to attend to Cambodia. Cambodia, however, was still embroiled in internal political conflict.

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