Chester Cabalza, founder and president of the International Development and Security Cooperation, explains why the Phillippines should not close its doors to China, raising an unpopular point that “China cannot afford to lose the Philippines.” READ:
Coming from a six-year slump in its relations with the Philippines, Cabalza said the United States is now on a mission to “lure us in trying to show that they are a competent and appropriate partner when it comes to what is happening now in the Indo-Pacific region.”
The United States’ aggressiveness in wooing the country, he said, is also because it knows that China is just in the Philippines’ backyard.Despite the continuous encroachment of Chinese vessels in the contested West Philippine Sea and the strong pronouncements of Beijing against Manila’s boosted ties with its rival Washington, Cabalza raised an unpopular point: “China cannot afford to lose the Philippines.”“I know China cannot afford to lose the Philippines because of our geographic importance.
Cabalza took note of the 2016 Hague ruling, which the Philippines won against China, declaring that Beijing had no legal basis for its sweeping claims over the South China Sea.“For China to become a superpower, it has to stabilize that narrative. That they are friends with the Philippines. Because if the Philippines becomes their enemy–with that kind of ruling, their legitimacy as a superpower will be in question,” he said.
In less than a year since assuming office, Marcos has made official visits to the United States and China, where he met his counterparts. Among the things Marcos discussed with Chinese President Xi Jin Ping are a “compromise” that would allow Filipinos to fish again in their natural fishing grounds in the West Philippine Sea and the conduct of joint oil explorations–a plan that was preparing to set sail but immediately sank during the Duterte administration.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
PH under Bongbong Marcos: Reviving ties with US but not closing doors to ChinaThere has been a pivot in the Philippines’ foreign policy since President Marcos took the highest position in the country. Now, the country is dancing with two global powers – restoring ties with the U.S. but “not closing its doors” to China. | BPinlacINQ
Read more »
Bongbong Marcos: Abide by Unclos to prevent conflict in South China SeaPresident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has urged all involved parties to abide by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to ensure that the South China Sea does not become a “nexus for armed conflict.” | DYGalvezINQ
Read more »
Bongbong Marcos returns, says ASEAN Summit charted new directionMANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has returned to the country on Thursday after attending the 42nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in
Read more »
Bongbong Marcos tells Teves: Come homeMANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday told suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves to come home to the Philippines after being denied political
Read more »
Bongbong Marcos back from Asean summitPresident Marcos returned to Manila from Indonesia on Thursday after his trip to Labuan Bajo for the 42nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit, his 13th foreign trip since June
Read more »
Bongbong Marcos thanks Timor Leste PM for denial of Teves’ asylum bidPresident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. thanked Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak of Timor-Leste for his government’s “quick action” to deny the application of Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. seeking political asylum in their country. | dempseyreyesINQ /PDI
Read more »