PH Aims to Strengthen Ties with the U.S. Under Duterte Administration Amid China Dispute
PH Continues to Fight its Claim on Spratly Islands
The Philippines continues to fight for its claims to the disputed islands against China under the new administration of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, who is all set for his inauguration on June 30, 2016, at the Malacanang Palace in Manila, Philippines.
Duterte Firm in His Stand on Spratly Islands
The President-elect, is, however, firm in his stand to protect the controversial islands. Duterte, who is yet to implement the programs under his administration as the 16th President of the Republic recently raised these concerns with U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg, who stressed that they will only help the Philippines "only if the country is attacked."
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The diplomatic relationship between the Philippines and the U.S. was recently commemorated in the New York Gala, which featured a documentary highlighting the 70-year relationship between the two countries.
China-U.S. Relations
On the other hand, China has also strengthened economic ties with the U.S. in the recently conducted "annual strategic economic talks" between the two countries.
Among the issues discussed by U.S. Secretary John Kerry and Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi was the territorial disputes between China and the claimant countries including the Philippines. Jiechi asked the U.S. not to take the part of any country that is involved in the territorial dispute. The U.S. Secretary, on the other hand, stressed the importance of the claimant countries to control their actions not to stir up trouble.
Other Countries in Dispute with China
The Philippines is not the only country that is involved in a territorial dispute with China. Neighboring Asian countries such as Vietnam, Taiwan and Japan have also established claims to the disputed islands, which are situated near their territories.
The Philippines sought to establish its right to the disputed islands based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS), which refers to the non-inclusion of the disputed territories to the 9-dash line of China or its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). China, on the other hand, has established a historic claim to the disputed territories.
The U.S., although an ally of the Philippines, has a close economic relationship with China, which places the country in a difficult situation. Nevertheless, the U.S. remains firm in its stand not to take sides in this territorial dispute. What the country stresses is the importance of fulfilling its treaty commitments, and that includes its commitment to the Philippines, in the event that it is attacked.
