President Rodrigo Duterte once again shows his willingness to reconfigure his alliances when he told the US it was “time to say goodbye” on Wednesday during his 4-day trip to China.
The President was able to deliver a speech in front of Filipinos in Beijing, during which he said that the Philippines gained little in their long alliance with the United States. He further stated that America stayed in the Philippines only for their own benefit.
Duterte expressed his dislike of the Philippines’ foreign policies that seems to be designed for the benefit of the United States so he intends to formulate new foreign policies that will clearly be based on the Philippines’ interest.
This has shown immediately after he took office in June when he started fixing the relationship between China and PH after the Philippines won over China with regards to territorial claims. The president also directed the suspension of the joint US-Philippine patrols in the South China Sea.
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During his four-day stay in Beijing, the President is set to meet with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang. The Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying also expressed satisfaction that the territorial dispute between the two countries is being resolved through consultation and dialogue.
According to Duterte, his visit will primarily focus on strengthening economic ties between the two countries. The Philippines also hopes that the ban on imports of bananas—that was a form of punishment to Manila over the South China Sea dispute—will finally be lifted.
The Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman also announced that more news about joint economic and infrastructure projects are to be expected during Duterte’s China trip.
As for Duterte’s on-going war on drugs in the country, China had expressed great support to the president in this matter, unlike the United States, which had released several statements and criticism over the current status of the killings in the Philippines because of illegal drugs.
Hua further revealed on Wednesday that there are on-going talks about China’s support and cooperation over drug control and anti-crime issues.
To further express China’s support to the Philippines in eradicating illegal drugs in the country, they had offered to give training to Filipino cadets, especially for “anti-illegal drug and VIP security protection.” This information was revealed by the current deputy director of intelligence of the Philippine National Police, Senior Supt. Ramon Purugganan.
Source: (globalnation.inquirer.net)
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