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last yr.

Philippines Seeks to Balance Ties with China and Strengthen Regional Alliances

President Marcos Jnr emphasizes the importance of historical ties with China while seeking to fortify alliances with the US, Australia, and ASEAN nations amid South China Sea tensions.

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FILE - A Chinese coast guard vessel maneuvers beside the Philippine coast guard ship BRP Cabra as they approach the Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, during a resupply mission on the disputed South China Sea on Nov. 10, 2023. Chinese coast guard ships blocked Philippine vessels from a disputed South China Sea shoal Tuesday, March 5, 2024, causing a minor collision, Philippine officials said.
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A satellite view of the a floating barrier at the entrance to Scarborough Shoal on February 22, 2024. The Philippines accused China's coast guard of setting up the barrier at the mouth of the disputed fishing ground.

Overview

  • Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr reiterates the country's refusal to cede maritime sovereignty but expresses willingness to work with Beijing, citing shared 'Chinese DNA'.
  • Marcos Jnr supports the AUKUS alliance and highlights the strengthening of military and strategic ties with the US and Australia as a counterbalance to China's assertiveness in the South China Sea.
  • The Philippines and Australia conduct their first joint patrols in the South China Sea, aiming to counter China's increasing aggression.
  • Australia maintains a cautious stance on South China Sea disputes, focusing on economic and security cooperation with ASEAN nations without directly confronting China.
  • Marcos Jnr's foreign policy seeks to navigate geopolitical tensions without regressing into Cold War dynamics, emphasizing the Philippines' national interests and regional peace.