Golez says "A million needles against China"

Solon nixes boycott, seeks more trade with China

A MILLION NEEDLES AGAINST CHINA

But another solon wants the Philippine government to resort to public diplomacy to settle its dispute with China.
Rep. Roilo Golez, vice chair of the House committee on national security and defense, said that while diplomats tackle the issue using conventional laws, Filipinos must exercise public diplomacy which would help show “that there’s a bully in the neighborhood who is misbehaving.”
A boycott of China-made products, voicing opinions, making speeches and talking in local and international forums about the ongoing issue are components of public diplomacy intended to hit where China will hurt the most, said Golez in a Church-hosted forum in Manila on Tuesday.
“While China is emerging as a powerful country, they are very sensitive about their international image and this is where we can hurt them the most… we can focus our attacks by portraying them as a bully who is not behaving as a responsible powerful country,” said Golez.
A million needles
“Public diplomacy is the exercise of the use of a million needles coming from those affected by China’s aggressive behavior to prick China,” added Golez, a former national security adviser.
He said that public diplomacy, separate from state diplomacy being undertaken by the Department of Foreign Affairs, could be initiated through making speeches that can be heard and quoted in international forums and media.
This move could put China under international spotlight amid frequent incidents of supposed intrusion of its naval vessels and planes into the territories claimed by the Philippines and other smaller claimants.
While initially distancing himself from Salceda’s boycott call, Golez later said such tack could be a “very important component” of public diplomacy.