Malaya, the land of our ancestors many believed to be the ancient land of Ophir today has been experiencing changes and at least a tremendous growth in building infrastructures. If we look down in to our historical timeline we can see our land before the Spanish Conquistadors arrived, that our culture was already a sophisticated one with our own educational system and government. The ancient Malays have developed a socio-economic culture based on barter system on precious metals, gems, and other commodities. Before the European colonizers and conquestadors arrived the so-called Philippines was part of a united kingdom namely as the "Majahapit And SriVisaya Kingdom".
" The Srivijaya Empire was strong as a maritime and commercial kingdom in the Malay Archipelago. The expansion of the Kingdom began and continued from the 7th to the 13th century. Originally, it began from Palembang of Sumatra and eventually expanded and took control of the surrounding area near the strait of Malacca. Controlling the Straits of Malacca and the Sunda Strait gave Srivijaya control of the spice trade. Because of its smart relationships with major trading countries and its way of controlling the only shortcuts around the Malay Archipelago, Srivijaya dominated the area in terms of wealth and power.
The power of the kingdom came mostly from its trade (states of the archipelago, China, and India). Other than the center of trade, Srivijaya was also the religious center of South-East Asia at that time. The main religion was Mahayana Buddhism; in fact, many pilgrims stopped here on their journey to India.
In its continual growth (up until the 11th century) it was able to take control of the majority of Java. But it came to lose control due to an Indian Kingdom called Chola, that found the Srivijaya kingdom troublesome for their trade in South and East Asia. Chola took over the city of Palembang in 1025, stealing its treasures as well as capturing the king and attacking other parts of this glorious kingdom.
Srivijaya lost all its glory by the end of the 12th century. It became a small empire and lost its place as the dominant powerhouse of the Melayu kingdom located in Jambi, a vassal of Java. Majapahit, which was another prominent kingdom in Java, took over the political scene of Indonesia." - sivijaya.weebly.com
CHINA - ANCIENT TRADE PARTNER.
"After defeating the Mongol Empire in 1368 and establishing the Ming dynasty, the Chinese emperor attempted to reestablish the tribute relationship with neighboring states. In 1402, during a devastating civil war, Zhu Di seized the throne from his nephew. Since he had seized the throne by force, Emperor Zhu Di was especially anxious to demonstrate and prove his legitimacy.
In 1403 Emperor Zhu Di ordered construction of an imperial fleet that was to include trading ships, warships, the so-called "treasure ships," and support vessels and ordered the fleet, under the command of Admiral Zheng He, to embark on a major voyage that same year. The emperor and Admiral Zheng He had been friends since the admiral was in his teens, and they trusted one another.
The voyage had multiple objectives. It would permit the Chinese to explore new areas and expand commercial and diplomatic relations. The grandeur of the fleet would dramatize the superior majesty and power of the Ming empire to peoples of distant lands, causing states of South and Southeast Asia to be incorporated into the tribute system. The fleet expected to receive demonstration of submission from rulers of areas it visited, and many foreign countries surely would acknowledge China's superiority in order to increase their trade. If people did not recognize Chinese greatness, the admiral might have to use force, but the Chinese expected that the encounters would be peaceful since it was only fitting that as many people as possible should come under the sway of the Chinese emperor, also known as the "Son of Heaven."" asiasociety.org
In 2017, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte launched the "Build. Build. Build" strategy. As part of the massive infrastructure project, leaders from China and the Philippines are set to sign a deal on a 600-kilometer railway project, which will run from Manila to Matnog in Sorsogon. The Philippines plans to spend around 180 billion U.S. dollars on over 75 flagship projects until 2022. That includes six new airports, nine railway lines, three bus rapid transits, 32 roads and bridges, and four seaports. China's Belt and Road Initiative is playing its part too. In 2016, during Duterte's visit to Beijing, China and the Philippines signed deals worth 24 billion U.S. dollars. Chinese companies are currently building bridges, undertaking construction of dams and irrigation projects, and are also involved in building railway lines to boost connectivity.
The Philippines is looking to break new ground on a high-tech “smart city,” complete with drones, self-driving vehicles and robots.
TO BE CONTINUED...
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| The Golden Tara is a 1.79 kilogram, 21-karat Majapahit period gold image discovered in Esperanza, Agusan, Philippines in 1918. - wikipedia |
The power of the kingdom came mostly from its trade (states of the archipelago, China, and India). Other than the center of trade, Srivijaya was also the religious center of South-East Asia at that time. The main religion was Mahayana Buddhism; in fact, many pilgrims stopped here on their journey to India.
In its continual growth (up until the 11th century) it was able to take control of the majority of Java. But it came to lose control due to an Indian Kingdom called Chola, that found the Srivijaya kingdom troublesome for their trade in South and East Asia. Chola took over the city of Palembang in 1025, stealing its treasures as well as capturing the king and attacking other parts of this glorious kingdom.
Srivijaya lost all its glory by the end of the 12th century. It became a small empire and lost its place as the dominant powerhouse of the Melayu kingdom located in Jambi, a vassal of Java. Majapahit, which was another prominent kingdom in Java, took over the political scene of Indonesia." - sivijaya.weebly.com
"After defeating the Mongol Empire in 1368 and establishing the Ming dynasty, the Chinese emperor attempted to reestablish the tribute relationship with neighboring states. In 1402, during a devastating civil war, Zhu Di seized the throne from his nephew. Since he had seized the throne by force, Emperor Zhu Di was especially anxious to demonstrate and prove his legitimacy.
In 1403 Emperor Zhu Di ordered construction of an imperial fleet that was to include trading ships, warships, the so-called "treasure ships," and support vessels and ordered the fleet, under the command of Admiral Zheng He, to embark on a major voyage that same year. The emperor and Admiral Zheng He had been friends since the admiral was in his teens, and they trusted one another.
The voyage had multiple objectives. It would permit the Chinese to explore new areas and expand commercial and diplomatic relations. The grandeur of the fleet would dramatize the superior majesty and power of the Ming empire to peoples of distant lands, causing states of South and Southeast Asia to be incorporated into the tribute system. The fleet expected to receive demonstration of submission from rulers of areas it visited, and many foreign countries surely would acknowledge China's superiority in order to increase their trade. If people did not recognize Chinese greatness, the admiral might have to use force, but the Chinese expected that the encounters would be peaceful since it was only fitting that as many people as possible should come under the sway of the Chinese emperor, also known as the "Son of Heaven."" asiasociety.org
In 2017, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte launched the "Build. Build. Build" strategy. As part of the massive infrastructure project, leaders from China and the Philippines are set to sign a deal on a 600-kilometer railway project, which will run from Manila to Matnog in Sorsogon. The Philippines plans to spend around 180 billion U.S. dollars on over 75 flagship projects until 2022. That includes six new airports, nine railway lines, three bus rapid transits, 32 roads and bridges, and four seaports. China's Belt and Road Initiative is playing its part too. In 2016, during Duterte's visit to Beijing, China and the Philippines signed deals worth 24 billion U.S. dollars. Chinese companies are currently building bridges, undertaking construction of dams and irrigation projects, and are also involved in building railway lines to boost connectivity.
The Philippines is looking to break new ground on a high-tech “smart city,” complete with drones, self-driving vehicles and robots.
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