Latest news with #SouthChinaSea
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Filipino film opposed by Beijing draws global attention to disputed South China Sea
MANILA: Pulled from screens days before its premiere, a Philippine documentary about the daily struggles of Filipino fishermen and coast guards is now winning big abroad, turning the spotlight onto the disputed South China Sea and Manila's tensions with Beijing. 'Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea,' by Filipino filmmaker Baby Ruth Villarama, was initially set for a Philippine premiere in March. However, it was dropped from the lineup of the PureGold CinePanalo Film Festival in Manila with organizers citing 'external factors.' The film's title refers to the Philippine part of the South China Sea lying within the country's exclusive economic zone, an area central to a long-running dispute over the strategic waterway between Manila and Beijing. Seeking to highlight the 'human' side of tensions beyond geopolitical framing, it centers on the story of Filipino fishermen 'who risk their lives every day' and the quiet efforts of Philippine coast guard personnel to keep them safe despite limited resources, Villarama told Arab News. 'They see it as their duty, their lifeblood, and their birthright. What struck us most was not anger or fear, but a deep sense of quiet dignity. These are men who wake before sunrise, not minding what dangers await them, yet they sail because they must feed their families and uphold traditions passed down for generations,' she said. 'They don't use the word 'patriotism,' but they live it. For them, the West Philippine Sea isn't an idea. It's home. It's where they survive, dream, and stand their ground. Their courage is unassuming, but it is fierce.' The documentary went on to have its world premiere at the Doc Edge Festival in New Zealand, where it won the Tides of Change prize earlier this month. 'International recognition gave the film credibility, but it was really the solidarity of communities here and abroad that could make the screening possible on the 27th (of July),' Villarama said. 'We're just hoping for the best.' Before the film made its international debut in New Zealand, it faced pressure from the Chinese Consulate-General in Auckland, which lodged a formal protest to festival organizers and requested the film's scheduled screenings were canceled. Despite a 2016 international tribunal ruling in favor of the Philippines' claims China continues to assert its historical claims to the waters, through which an estimated $5.3 trillion worth of commercial goods transit annually. In a letter to organizers later posted online, the Chinese consulate said the film was 'rife with disinformation and false propaganda, serving as a political tool for Philippines to pursue illegitimate claims in the South China Sea.' But for its creators, the film was always about the Filipino audience. 'We made 'Food Delivery' to hold up a mirror to the truth — not to divide, but to help us see more clearly what is happening in our own waters. Because no matter where we stand on politics or personal beliefs, one thing is certain: The West Philippine Sea is part of our story. It is part of who we are,' Chuck Gutierrez, co-founder of documentary producer Voyage Studios, told Arab News. 'The truth is, we did not make this film to antagonize anyone. Our goal was simple — to show the day-to-day reality faced by Filipinos at the West Philippine Sea. What we captured came from firsthand experiences, not secondhand narratives. These are voices that have long been unheard.' Winning the award in New Zealand was a 'deeply affirming moment' for Gutierrez and his team. 'It means that telling the truth, especially when it is inconvenient or uncomfortable, is still worth fighting for,' he said. 'Despite the forces that tried to silence the story we were telling, the truth found its voice and resonated with an international audience.'
Reuters
2 hours ago
- Climate
- Reuters
Severe floods triggered by storm Wipha kill at least three in Vietnam's Nghe An
HANOI, July 24 (Reuters) - Heavy rains triggered by tropical storm Wipha have caused severe flooding in the central Vietnamese province of Nghe An, killing at least three people and leaving one more missing. With a long coastline facing the South China Sea, Vietnam is prone to typhoons that often cause deadly floods and mudslides. Wipha is the first major storm to hit the country this year. Wipha made landfall in Vietnam on Tuesday, after battering Hong Kong and China and worsening monsoon rains and flooding in the Philippines. One of the victims was buried by a landslide while another was washed away by a strong current, reported the Kinh Te Moi Truong newspaper, citing information from the People's Committee of Nghe An. More than 3,700 houses in the province have been inundated by flood waters, and another 459 were damaged by strong winds, according to the report. Photos on state media show homes in villages in the province submerged to the roofs. "Our rice, our clothing and our money are all gone," Dang Thi Ngoc, a local flood victim, told state broadcaster VTV. "We have nothing left except for our bare hands." Flood waters have also damaged 1,600 hectares of rice plantations and 1,290 hectares of cash crops in the province, the report said. The government's weather forecast agency said heavy rains reaching up to 250 millimetres are expected on Thursday and Friday and could last until Saturday in several parts of northern Vietnam, potentially causing more flooding.
CNA
13 hours ago
- Climate
- CNA
Severe floods triggered by storm Wipha kill at least 3 in Vietnam's Nghe An
HANOI: Heavy rains triggered by tropical storm Wipha have caused severe flooding in the central Vietnamese province of Nghe An, killing at least three people and leaving one more missing. With a long coastline facing the South China Sea, Vietnam is prone to typhoons that often cause deadly floods and mudslides. Wipha is the first major storm to hit the country this year. Wipha made landfall in Vietnam on Tuesday (Jul 22), after battering Hong Kong and China and worsening monsoon rains and flooding in the Philippines. One of the victims was buried by a landslide while another was washed away by a strong current, reported the Kinh Te Moi Truong newspaper, citing information from the People's Committee of Nghe An. More than 3,700 houses in the province have been inundated by flood waters, and another 459 were damaged by strong winds, according to the report. Photos on state media show homes in villages in the province submerged to the roofs. "Our rice, our clothing and our money are all gone," Dang Thi Ngoc, a local flood victim, told state broadcaster VTV. "We have nothing left except for our bare hands." Flood waters have also damaged 1,600 hectares of rice plantations and 1,290 hectares of cash crops in the province, the report said. The government's weather forecast agency said heavy rains reaching up to 250 millimetres are expected on Thursday and Friday and could last until Saturday in several parts of northern Vietnam, potentially causing more flooding.
Reuters
13 hours ago
- Climate
- Reuters
Severe floods triggered by storm Wipha kill at least 3 in Vietnam's Nghe An
HANOI, July 24 (Reuters) - Heavy rains triggered by tropical storm Wipha have caused severe flooding in the central Vietnamese province of Nghe An, killing at least three people and leaving one more missing. With a long coastline facing the South China Sea, Vietnam is prone to typhoons that often cause deadly floods and mudslides. Wipha is the first major storm to hit the country this year. Wipha made landfall in Vietnam on Tuesday, after battering Hong Kong and China and worsening monsoon rains and flooding in the Philippines. One of the victims was buried by a landslide while another was washed away by a strong current, reported the Kinh Te Moi Truong newspaper, citing information from the People's Committee of Nghe An. More than 3,700 houses in the province have been inundated by flood waters, and another 459 were damaged by strong winds, according to the report. Photos on state media show homes in villages in the province submerged to the roofs. "Our rice, our clothing and our money are all gone," Dang Thi Ngoc, a local flood victim, told state broadcaster VTV. "We have nothing left except for our bare hands." Flood waters have also damaged 1,600 hectares of rice plantations and 1,290 hectares of cash crops in the province, the report said. The government's weather forecast agency said heavy rains reaching up to 250 millimetres are expected on Thursday and Friday and could last until Saturday in several parts of northern Vietnam, potentially causing more flooding.
The National
14 hours ago
- Business
- The National
Heritage and hardware: My trip to Shenzhen surprises and charms in equal measure
Some great cities can overwhelm you with centuries of architecture and culture, but Shenzhen in China offers something entirely different: a chance to experience a land in transformation. When the Chinese government declared the city as the country's first Special Economic Zone in 1980, farmlands gave way to industrial corridors as companies including national behemoths Huawei and Tencent – both founded in the city – thrived under the favourable economic conditions. Arriving in Shenzhen The shedding of rural origins is visible from the air, as my Emirates flight descends towards the southern Chinese city – completing a near-eight-hour journey from Dubai across the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian subcontinent and mainland Southeast Asia. The approach into Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport reveals a city of planned zones, punctuated by green spaces such as the expansive Lianhuashan Park and Shenzhen Bay Park. Along the southern edge are the deep blue waters of the South China Sea stretching towards Hong Kong and Macau. The airport itself, which is reportedly set to add a third runway this year, is understated. Clearing customs is relatively swift, and within half an hour of landing, I'm moving through a grand hall filled with filtered natural light. The terminal is wide, open – said to resemble a manta ray – and free of extravagant displays. It provides an early glimpse of a city built for functionality and logistics rather than spectacle. The 40-minute drive down the coastal Guangshen Expressway towards the city centre reveals more of the evolution. Land once made up of ricefields and marshes – threaded through the irrigation channels that gave Shenzhen, meaning 'deep drains', its name – is now occupied by dense districts that are home to more than 17 million people. I spot the outlines of Longgang, a major manufacturing hub of electronics such as smartphones and power supply units, and Futian, the city's administrative and commercial core. The glimmering outlines of China Resources Tower, shaped like a bamboo shoot, and the twin-glass Tencent Seafront Towers also rise in the distance as we near the slick Conrad Shenzhen hotel in the Nanshan district. Tech walk in Huaqiangbei One of the nine districts that make up Shenzhen, Nanshan is a quiet area, known for its tech campuses, public parks and universities. It provides a needed charge before I am thrust into the colour and frenzy of Huaqiangbei – the world's largest electronics market and, for many entrepreneurs, the main reason to visit Shenzhen. The market's scale hits me first. The strip may be only 800 metres long, but it's flanked by multistorey buildings packed with nearly 40,000 vendors. Most of the buildings don't carry signs stating any specific wares or brands. You simply step in and get enveloped by endless booths – a sea of motherboards, loose cables, LED strips, soldering kits, phone cases and even neck massagers. Behind booths, shopkeepers invite you to check the merchandise while keyboard and drum beats reverberate as customers test digital music pads nearby. Though the market invites wandering, most people come here to get things done, whether it's seeking the latest podcast microphones, drones or mobile camera stands. Deals are made through translation apps, and haggling is expected. Payments happen in cash or via the easy-to-use Alipay app. I leave with a bundle of phone cords, a battery charger, two one-terabyte USB drives and a white eye massager shaped like a sleeping mask, all for 200 yuan (Dh102). While Huaqiangbei feels initially chaotic, its sheer purposefulness is another reflection of Shenzhen as a city where things get done without fuss or ceremony. Balance of science and culture The buzz dims as I take a 40-minute taxi across Guangming district to reach the Shenzhen Science and Technology Museum. Opened in May, the museum stands as a sign of Shenzhen's planned shift from manufacturing hub to tech powerhouse. That ambition crystallises in the building itself. The sleek glass and steel facade, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, resembles a spacecraft. The atrium, bound by curved silver walls and a large Chinese flag in the centre, feels like an airport terminal. Hundreds of students and families move towards kiosks selling entry tickets, priced at 50 yuan for adults. Inside, the museum's purpose is clear: spark a love of science early. Exhibitions span four permanent halls and lean heavily on gamification. In the robotics and sustainability zones, children bang on taiko drums. The harder they strike, the more virtual energy is generated. A screen tracks an animated character racing towards a finish line, making learning a fun competition between friends. Nearby, robotic arms assemble coffee orders, while humanoid robots greet visitors. Other exhibits envision futures where technology works alongside humans, from robot surgeons to automated valet parking. The messaging aims to inspire excitement at the opportunities technology offers up, rather than a fear of change. But for all of its positioning as a tech and manufacturing hub, Shenzhen also maintains its respect for the past. The city's own heritage is preserved and celebrated at Shenzhen Museum in Futian District and, more vividly, at the Splendid China Folk Culture Village. Located about 18km from the city centre, the sprawling 30-hectare site is divided into more than 20 sections, each replicating ethnic villages of China's officially recognised minority communities. You can traverse wooden stilt homes of the Dong people native to Guizhou Province, marvel at the intricate carvings of the Miao community and witness the swirling fan dance of the Dai people from Yunnan Province. The village is vast, and the highlight of my stay was renting a buggy, for 50 yuan an hour, to explore the site at a languid pace. Cruising through its sections, I felt like I was inside a picture book, unfolding as I passed mini replicas of the Great Wall and a similarly scaled-down Forbidden City. Lovingly preserved and charmingly quaint, the village should take up a priority spot on any Shenzhen itinerary. Artistic alleyways A 25-minute taxi ride away can have you experiencing the creative side of Shenzhen. The entrance to Dafen Oil Painting Village is a nondescript alley off a busy road, but once inside, the noise recedes as you arrive at a central courtyard from which narrow alleyways fan out to hundreds of tiny studios and galleries. There are painters at work in almost every doorway. From the outside, some spaces appear no bigger than shoeboxes, others are more elaborate. I see a woman painting porcelain dolls beside a man copying Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night, seemingly from memory. Other artists recreate everything from traditional Chinese landscapes to vibrant video game characters such as Sonic the Hedgehog. Once known for its mass production of cheap knock-offs of western masterpieces, the village's reputation has changed over the past decade with galleries such as Sunrise Art Centre and TNT Contemporary Art Space now showcasing original work by local and regional artists. Yes, you can haggle and take an accurate recreation home, but you can also pause and soak in the atmosphere. Get lost in the alleyways and find art you didn't know you needed, or sit in one of the courtyard cafes where students gather and elderly men play chess. Unlike Huaqiangbei, there's no commercial urgency here. The fact that art is being made is all that matters. Halal dining in Shenzhen My final stop is a quiet dinner inside Muslim Hotel Restaurant, a modest but enduring presence in Shenzhen's city centre. A TripAdvisor find, its name appeared on top lists of halal restaurants to try – also including Turkish-inspired Mevlana and Muslim Noodles Restaurant – with the added distinction that it's been operating for more than 40 years. The menu reflects the culinary heritage of China's north-western Muslim communities, but adapted to the tastes of the southern port city. I order sauteed mushroom and spinach, beef baked dumplings and spicy chicken noodles for 204 yuan. It's a homely and hearty meal that underscores the cohesion of Shenzhen, where tech markets and futuristic museums seamlessly sit alongside historical villages and culinary stalwarts. It all forms part of a larger story in a city whose potential is still being written.
