April 20, 2017

"In October 2016, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte visited China and Japan, two of the country's important economic partners. His high-profile and much-publicized trips earned the Philippines millions of dollars' worth of Chinese and Japanese loans and investments. These financial commitments underscored the strategic value of the Philippines for both countries. Conversely, these consecutive visits also indicated the motivations behind Duterte’s heightened economic ties with China and Japan, and how they differ from each other. By renewing and strengthening these relations, Duterte essentially reveals his shrewd motives and strategic approach that are expected to resonate in the Philippines’ overall foreign policy and external relations.  

Chinese Investments to the Philippines 

Despite looming maritime issues, Duterte’s policy of engagement provided a reset in the overall relations between the Philippines and China. During his state visit to Beijing, he announced that the Philippine victory in the arbitration case against China on the South China Sea would “take a back seat.” He also implied that the territorial disputes were a “small part” of their multifaceted bilateral relations. Because of his conciliatory tone, he was able to obtain significant trade deals from the Chinese government and receive an impressive amount of investments from Chinese firms."

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