Despite being a key ally of the United States (US), President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said that the still-ongoing disputes in the South China Sea should be resolved by members of the Asia-Pacific Region and not anyone else, noting he refuses to go back to the old Cold War formula. Marcos said this as the Philippines and China continue to work around differences regarding the disputed waters. In an interview with China's state-run CGTN, the President added that the future of the Asia-Pacific Region "must be decided by the Asia-Pacific Region." "In two previous administrations, the Americans offered to be the third party between China and the Philippines. I said that's not going to succeed because you are a party of interest," he said. "It has to be between the Philippines and China. It can involve ASEAN because ASEAN [countries] are claimants. But it has to be someone from the region which has an interest in Asia-Pacific," he added. "I think that statement has now evolved into the thinking that the Asia-Pacific region must be decided by the Asia-Pacific Region, not anyone else," he stressed.

Only the Philippine side

President Marcos said that the Philippines has a straightforward foreign policy: to be friends with all and an enemy to none-- a sentiment he highlighted in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September last year. "The Philippines has a very simple foreign policy. It's a foreign policy that commits itself to peace-- that is guided by the national interest," he said. "That national interest dictates that we will not allow ourselves to be drawn back to the old Cold Ward formula where one has to take sides. The only side I'm on is the Philippine side. Very simple. I think that is a good guide," he added. China continues to reject the 2016 Arbitral Ruling that invalidated its claim over a large portion of the South China Sea based on the so-called Nine-Dash Line. The decision stemmed from a case lodged by the Philippines before the Hague. Marcos went to China for a State Visit last week, where he said he reportedly proposed to Chinese President Xi Jinping that the Philippines and China raise the level of communication concerning talks about the South China Sea.

Moving forward

President Marcos is optimistic that the Philippines and China can move forward despite the differences. "I think we are good friends-- China and the Philippines. These things happen between even good friends, but good friends stay good friends even if we have these problems," he said. "Good friends talk about problems and resolve them in a nice and equitable-- to find a way that is mutually beneficial to both countries," he added. Marcos said the foundation of the Philippines-China ties was solid and continues to grow, expressing confidence that the two countries could reach an agreement on maritime joint exploration and disputes. "I feel confident. As I said, the foundations that we have laid-- because it is not the only discussion that China and the Philippines are having," he said, noting the government, educational, and cultural exchanges between the neighboring countries. "Those, I think, help solidify the relationship. They continue to become stronger, and they continue to become more important to our two countries, and because of that, I feel very confident that we will be able to move forward," he added. According to the President, many people are rooting for the Philippines and China to overcome their differences. "We have many people who are working very hard to try and make this a success. I understand that that applies also to the Chinese side, and I think there's a good desire from both sides to make it succeed," Marcos said. "If the two sides are determined and committed to the success of that project, of that program, we will find a way. I'm confident," he added.