As the US continues to ramp up its criticisms of China’s activity in the South China Sea, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte is cozying up ever closer to Beijing.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Singapore, Duterte criticized the US for provoking China, while shrugging his shoulders at China’s expanding presence on islands also claimed by the Philippines.
“China is already in possession (of the South China Sea). It’s now in their hands,” he was quoted by the Straits Times as saying.
“So why do you have to create frictions… that will prompt a response from China?” he said. “China is there… That’s a reality, and America and everybody should realize that they are there.”
Duterte specifically called for the US to let China and ASEAN countries decide how to resolve territorial disputes while criticizing US-led freedom of navigation exercises.
“Everything’s been excellent between China and the rest of Asean, except for the fact that there’s friction between Western nations and China,” he said.
Duterte’s comments were a rebuke of US Vice-President Mike Pence’s speech at the summit, during which he said that “empire and aggression have no place in the Indo-Pacific,” in a veiled reference to China.
“We will defend freedom of the seas and skies. This is especially important in the South China Sea,” Pence said, according to his prepared remarks released by the White House.
“Let me be clear: China’s militarization and territorial expansion in the South China Sea is illegal and dangerous. It threatens the sovereignty of many nations and endangers the prosperity of the world,” he said.
Since taking office, Duterte has taken measures to scale down military cooperation between the US and the Philippines, which are still bound by a treaty alliance. Meanwhile, he has worked to strengthen ties with Beijing, and his administration is currently in talks with Beijing on a joint oil exploration deal.
Kwai Laan Chin All very good points, except that the BRI is wide open to disruption by warlords and mahommedan terrorists, while the SCS is still a chinese lake with choke points in the mallaca straits and between Taiwan and Jap….
Now do you understand why you cannot be allowed to invade taiwan ?
Kwai Laan Chin All very good points, except that the BRI is wide open to disruption by warlords and mahommedan terrorists, while the SCS is still a chinese lake with choke points in the mallaca straits and between Taiwan and Jap….
Now do you understand why you cannot be allowed to invade taiwan ?
Jim Lim Well I just wonder why the you ladies prefer these (s)expats as you call them (I like it BTW)
Jim Lim Well I just wonder why the you ladies prefer these (s)expats as you call them (I like it BTW)
James Wu China has taken over the West Philippine Islands that historically and geographically belongs to the Philippines.
James Wu China has taken over the West Philippine Islands that historically and geographically belongs to the Philippines.
Du30 donot like war which could affect the philippines ???????? Especially we just started our build build build for progress. If only Estrada did not kick out the US base it will never happened. There is massive communist government influence in cory’s time. China squatted the scaborough because of the irresponsible previous past presidents. This time only war and Chinese economic failure can solve this problem with the cooperation of 38 countries .
Du30 donot like war which could affect the philippines ???????? Especially we just started our build build build for progress. If only Estrada did not kick out the US base it will never happened. There is massive communist government influence in cory’s time. China squatted the scaborough because of the irresponsible previous past presidents. This time only war and Chinese economic failure can solve this problem with the cooperation of 38 countries .
Takot sa China.
Takot sa ICC.
Takot kay Trillanes. HEHE.
Takot sa China.
Takot sa ICC.
Takot kay Trillanes. HEHE.
The issue is not whether the Philippines wishes to cede the sovereignty to China, that is their decision. The issue is whether China, or any other nation can, claim ownership over the seas.
The issue is not whether the Philippines wishes to cede the sovereignty to China, that is their decision. The issue is whether China, or any other nation can, claim ownership over the seas.
Yashad Rizvi I guess that jet ski stunt in the South China sea is out of the question.
Yashad Rizvi I guess that jet ski stunt in the South China sea is out of the question.