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Jamie S.

Rosas
AB Foreign Service/ FS302
International Political Economy
Professor: Sir Jumel G. Estrañero
March 5, 2018

United State, Philippines and China:


A Friend or a Foe

In the International Arena where everyone is a player vying for great power. Can
countries find its friend or is it a way leading them to their foes?

United States and Philippines have been in a good relationship for a long time. But
recently the relationship of this two went on the rocks. The United States has been
involved in the Philippines ongoing War on drugs and is also eyeing its way to build
presence in the South China Sea which may risk heightening the Asia-Pacific tension.
US President Donald Trump upon meeting Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has
taken its step to reignite the 70 year old bilateral relations that cooled down during the
former President Barack Obama. United States President Trump is moving towards
warmer ties between the Philippines.

On the other side of the coin, President Duterte befriending China in the late 2016
from which he earned $ 24 Billion in pledges for Chinese developments, investments,
aids and projects inside the country. President Duterte wanted peace and friendship
with China. But also he needs to reinforce defense of Islands in South China Sea, from
which his intention was for geopolitical balance. The RP-PRC relation has been
evidently improved. President Duterte is leading towards strong economic ties with
China.

United States- China’s relationship is said to be the most consequential bilateral in


the world. United States have been the “hegemon” for quite a long time and China is
rising towards being a hegemon as well. It seems like these two countries are both
rising into power but certainly one wants to go ahead against the other. Despite the
evident competition between the two countries there are things that both China and
United States should do to avoid serious conflicts. First, both sides must exercise self-
restraint. Second, is to communicate more. A good communication is a good foundation
to avoid chaotic incidents or conflicts. Third, both sides should be realistic. China should
avoid overestimating its power and growth which could lead them to the said “strategic
overstretch”. While the United States needs to realize that another powerful country has
emerged onto the world stage which is China.

These three countries namely United States, China and Philippines are heading
towards protecting or establishing their spot in the International arena in line with their
own interests. Most of them are dealing hand and hand with other states. Philippines in
relation to other countries such as Japan, Australia , South Korea and others is
strengthened to build a strong ties and alliances leading to a strong economic ties. This
is where the strategy of President Duterte is leading us. The “Hedging Strategy” of
President Duterte which is “finding the middle ground between high value relationships
with other countries”. This is predominantly exercised in relations of the Philippines
towards United States and China.

In my analytical perspective the next 10 years will be a roller coaster ride of affair in
the International Arena. Wherein most of the countries will be vying towards a “powerful
and influential spot” (hegemon) bearing its own interest. President Xi Jinping of China
extension of term limit would be dangerous. He was known to be what “he say becomes
the law” without checks and balances to be made afterwards. On the other hand the
action of United States towards South China Sea would trigger its relationship with
China and Philippines. Funding for the “drug war” by United States to Philippines is
quite controversial linking the said “drug war” with human rights violations. United States
is also prepared to mediate between South China Sea claimants including Brunei,
Malaysia and Vietnam which is another story to tell in the near future. The Philippines
hedging strategy from which it distances itself from United States doesn’t mean that
Philippines is going all the way alliance with China.

The International Arena seems to be unending road for we do not know where it will
lead us. The Philippines needs to be more independent and wise when it comes to
making alliances with the other countries. The relationship of Philippines with United
States and China is already part of the history and continuing. The alliances of United
States and Philippines will continue for United States will not just throw its alliances with
Philippines because it has its own “interest”. On the other hand, Philippines needs to be
wiser and sensitive having its relationship with China. We must protect what is ours; we
can’t just give in with kindness. There are underlying interests, we need to be firm.
Philippines needs to establish its position to its possessions. You can have many
friends, but not all can be trusted.

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