Philippines’ bid to deepen China ties not likely to raise alarm bells in US: analysts

With US-Philippine ties back on track, analysts say Washington will not expect Marcos Jnr to make major policy moves similar to Duterte’s pronouncement back in 2016

Elevating ties to ‘comprehensive strategic partnership’ could benefit Manila and make it a partner instead of adversary to China, one observer notes

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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (right) and his wife Marie Louise wave as they board a plane for China on Tuesday at the Villamor Air Base in Manila. Photo: AP

Published: 9:10pm, 3 Jan 2023Updated: 9:12pm, 3 Jan 2023

The United States is unlikely to expect any major policy moves from Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr during his state visit to China this week, even as Washington and Beijing jostle for influence in the Asia-Pacific region, analysts have said.

On the eve of Marcos’ three-day trip, Beijing suggested to Manila that both countries elevate their current relationship status from a “strategic cooperation” to a “comprehensive strategic partnership”, a source close to the government said on Monday, although there were “pro-US elements in government opposed to it”.

Before flying to Beijing on Tuesday, Marcos Jnr said, “I leave for Beijing. I will be opening a new chapter in our comprehensive strategic cooperation with China.”

Renato DeCastro, a professor of International Studies at De la Salle University, said with US-Philippine ties back on track after Marcos Jnr’s two meetings with US President Joe Biden, Washington was unlikely to react negatively to the Philippine leader deepening his ties with Beijing.

“They (the Americans) don’t expect any dramatic pronouncement to be made by Marcos Jnr similar to what [predecessor Rodrigo] Duterte made in 2016 because the improved relations with the US have made the US very comfortable with this administration,” he said.

Marcos Jnr had previously assured Biden that “we are your partners. We are your allies. We are your friends”.

With Washington observing the China visit, however, Marcos Jnr “is torn between two lovers [and] has to make a hard decision during and after the official visit”, said Chester Cabalza, president and founder of Manila-based think tank International Development and Security Cooperation.