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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PBBM: PH in 'precarious balancing act' between US, China

PBBM: PH in 'precarious balancing act' between US, China

Published Jan 20, 2023 08:06 pm

ZURICH, Switzerland — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said that the Philippines is in a very "precarious balancing act" with its ties with the United States and China.

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Malacañang photo)

The President was interviewed by the Wall Street Journal on the sidelines of the 2023 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.

According to the President, the Philippines has been working on ways to avoid being “trampled” by the two competing superpowers, citing an African proverb, which states: When elephants fight, the only one that gets trampled is the grass.

“We are the grass in this situation. We don’t want to get trampled," he said.

Marcos said the Philippines is increasing its cooperation with the US and developing mechanisms to defuse tension with China amid the intense geopolitical rivalry in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Philippines is also in a territorial dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea, with the Asian giant insisting on almost in its entirety despite the 2016 Arbitral Ruling rejecting their claim.

During his recent visit to China, President Marcos said he proposed to Chinese President Xi Jinping that an existing bilateral team responsible for tackling South China Sea incidents be upgraded to include senior officials on both sides with direct access to the countries’ respective heads of government.

In a separate interview with the Financial Times, Marcos confirmed he expected intensified military relations with the US, with more US troops and military assets rotating through the Philippines.

He added that the discussion about defense cooperation with Japan is continuing and that his government is trying to put together Australia, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines. Despite this, Marcos said increasing the country's defense budget is not a priority.

President Marcos has also ruled out the reopening of the former US military bases in Clark and Subic, saying it was against the country’s Constitution to allow foreign bases on its soil.

Related Tags

Bongbong Marcos 2023 WEF World Economic Forum PH-China PH-US South China Sea Trip to Switzerland President Marcos
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