Manila set to block Chinese bidders from largest shipyard

National security concerns over Subic Bay outweigh warmer bilateral ties

A newly-built ship is seen at Hanjin Heavy Industries' shipyard in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in January 2018. (Photo courtesy of HHIC-Phil)

CLIFF VENZON, Nikkei staff writer

April 25, 2019 02:08 JST

MANILA -- The Philippine government is set to exclude Chinese bidders from acquiring the country's largest shipyard, situated at the entrance to the highly sensitive South China Sea, amid concerns over Beijing's growing military presence in the region and its potential threat to national security.