THE PHILIPPINES AND CHINA TOWARDS A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP (original) (raw)

Philippines-China Relations: Challenges and Prospects (2015)

The disputes between the Philippines and China involve issues of territorial sovereignty, maritime jurisdiction and economic resources. But these disputes have been complicated by the escalating geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China. This paper analyzes the challenges and prospects facing Philippines-China relations in light of the complex bilateral and regional situation.

21st Century Philippine-China Relations: From Distant to Antagonistic Neighbors

Since diplomatic ties between the Philippines and China were established in the mid-1970s, the two neighbors’ bilateral relations have undergone a cycle of indifference, suspicion, cooperation, bickering and now outright antagonism that might lead into a full-blown conflict. This chapter examines the vagaries in Philippine-China relations since 1975. It addresses the main question: how Philippine-China bilateral relation has evolved since the mid-1970s? It also explores the following questions: a) What factors account for the ups and downs in Philippine-China relations? What is the current state of Philippine-China relations? And what is the future of Philippine-China relations?

THE CRITICAL JUNCTURES OF PHILIPPINE FOREIGN POLICY TO CHINA

" So historical experience and realism both bid us to be more objective and less emotional, or if we are to engage our emotions it should be based on our authentic identity as Asians. It is on this basis that we reexamine the world, our region and ourselves. We are Asians. We live in Asia. Our future is in Asia. And we should remodel our thoughts and our policies in accordance with that indubitable fact. " – Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr., June 9, 1975 on the occasion of his Official Visit to China " China will never be a superpower, and will never commit aggression or bully other countries. We always maintain that all countries, big or small, should be equal. We support all the oppressed nations and oppressed peoples in their just struggles. It is possible for countries with different social systems to develop state relations on the basis of the five principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence. Our policy and stand are consistent and firm. Vice-Premier Deng Xiaoping, State Banquet Welcoming President Ferdinand ABSTRACT The paper aims to examine the nature of Philippine foreign policy towards China by reviewing the timeline of their relations through the theory of critical junctures. While the tie that connects these two nations can be traced back a thousand of year ago but its formal relationship as sovereign entities is not a replication not even a reinforcement of what has been cited to as to their long and rich 'traditional friendship' in the distant pasts. Some factors may have come along the way that hinders the flourishing of this ancient connection like politics among nations and the alliances especially the period of ideological confrontations between the Liberals of the US and the Communist of the Soviets

Twenty-First Century Philippines' Policy Toward an Emergent China: From Equi-Balancing to Strategic Balancing

The article examines the Philippines’ two approaches to China’s emergence as an emergent power. The first is the Philippines’ strategy of equi-balancing the United States and China in the early years of the 21st century. During this period, the country revived and strengthened its security arrangements with the U.S. while at the same time, obtained economic and politico-diplomatic concessions from East Asia’s emergent power, China. The second is the Philippines’ strategic balancing policy on China. Since 2011, the Aquino Administration has been conducting a delicate balancing act vis-à-vis China, which has become aggressive in asserting its sovereignty over the South China Sea. Currently, the Philippines seeks U.S. diplomatic support and security guarantee relative to its territorial row with China. In the process, President Aquino has discarded his predecessor’s policy of equi-balancing the great powers and tilted the balance in favor of the U.S. This policy shift that entails American and Japanese strategic backing that doubtlessly enhances Philippine-U.S. alliance but strains Philippine-China bilateral relations.

PHILIPPINES-CHINA PARTNERSHIP: THE STABLE YET UNSTABLE DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

For the past years, Philippine-China relations have been thriving, cooperation between the two countries made progress in their respective economies, and up until now, Philippines-China friendship is evident. However, despite the longstanding relationship, issues between the two countries continue to intensify because of territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea.

Evolving Philippines-U.S.-China Strategic Triangle: International and Domestic Drivers

The triangular relations among three states-the Philippines, the United States, and the People's Republic of China-are governed by structural balance of power factors, "pragmatic opportunism" on the part of the superpowers, and the threat and opportunity perceptions of individual Philippine administrations. Recent years have seen Manila dramatically oscillating between the extremes of engagement and deterrence toward China, and dependence on, and independence from, the United States. In particular, while the Benigno Aquino III administration (2010-2016) adopted soft counterbalancing against China and heavily relied on American military support, the succeeding Rodrigo Duterte administration, in contrast, distanced itself from America in favor of deeper engagement with China. The seemingly erratic swings in the pendulum of Manila's foreign policy is a telltale sign of the dilemma of small power politics as well as the tempestuous nature of Philippine domestic politics.

Challenging Chinese Hegemony: A Study of Philippine-Japan Strategic Partnership Towards Alliance Formation

This study aimed to examine the possible strategic partnership of the Philippines and Japan in managing the assertive Chinese hegemony in the East Asia. It also delved into the circumstances and the instances that will possibly give to the establishment of Manila–Tokyo alliance in order to form a shared interests that will counter China‘s dominance. The paper focused on regional partnership tackling political, economic, security and defense issues in the Maritime Asia. It included circumstances of a Manila-Tokyo alliance, on how it could be formed by peering through the historical records of the already pre-existing diplomacy among the two nations with their corresponding implications. The researchers utilized the descriptive-historical approach, qualitative method, and interviews in gathering data. The study found that there is a historical basis of strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines. Numerous treaties and agreements have given way to establish the so called strategic partnership through economic cooperation, delivery of Official Development Assistance, and trade. The strategic partnership does not only revolve around military but also emphasized the economic, social, diplomatic, and political aspects to solidify it in countering Chinese hegemony in the region effectively. The researchers concluded that the strategic partnership countered Chinese hegemony in terms of economic, defense and security and diplomacy and politics. More notably, the researchers were able to justify the formation of an alliances with Japan. The paper recommends that the situation in South China Sea must not be taken for granted.

REFLECTIONS ON THE PHILIPPINES – CHINA RELATIONS, THE SOUTH CHINA SEA, AND THE ASEAN INTEGRATION

The postwar era has enabled the international community to really depend on soft power in the conduct of relations with each other. The creation of the United Nations, and other international organizations has helped manage and prevent disputes and conflicts that would possibly lead to another world war. States have been able to advance their national interests or positions relevant to international issues and negotiate with other States through diplomacy. The shift from hard power to soft power has brought-on the one hand, the rise of international law and international codes of conduct that became the " great equalizer " of States that manifested the consciousness " right is might " , rather " might is right " ; and on the other hand, has grounded States into a more complex form of relationships, having the victors of the war yielding greater power and dominance in the said institutions-hence, the opportunities and challenges of the new world order. This paper intends to present an example of the double-edged sword aspect of the new world order of the postwar era. It shall reflect on a contemporary international issue, the South China Sea dispute, and try to look into how it has changed the landscape of international affairs in the Philippine perspective. Further, the geopolitics of the Southeast Asian region and its collective aspirations relevant to the issue will be looked into against the success or failure of the exercise of soft power/ diplomacy. However, this essay is only limited into contextualizing the issue and does not intend to formulate recommendations and suggestive actions. All of these shall be done in order to evaluate the present conditions of the postwar Philippines with respect to foreign policies and the promotion of its national interests as a sovereign nation.