Duterte’s Remark on S China Sea 'Changes Balance of Power' in Favor of Beijing

© REUTERS / U.S. Navy/Handout via ReutersChinese dredging vessels are purportedly seen in the waters around Fiery Cross Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea in this still file image from video taken by a P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft provided by the United States Navy
Chinese dredging vessels are purportedly seen in the waters around Fiery Cross Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea in this still file image from video taken by a P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft provided by the United States Navy - Sputnik International
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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said that the South China Sea arbitration case will "take a back seat" during his talks with China, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said in Beijing on Wednesday.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte pose for photo during the ASEAN Plus Three Summit in Vientiane, Laos September 7, 2016. - Sputnik International
Asia
Foreign Policy Shift? Philippines' Duterte Heads to China Amid Tensions With US
Duterte is currently on a visit to China with a major delegation of Philippine businessmen. Recently, Manila has turned to building ties with Beijing, amid deteriorating relations with one of its main allies, the United States.

Talking to journalists, the Philippine leader described the decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague over South China Sea disputes as a "piece of paper."

"It would not be in keeping with courtesy and goodwill if I am the one to open it. And you will say, will it take a back seat? Of course, it has to take the back seat," he was quoted as saying by Reuters.

President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte (L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, October 20, 2016. - Sputnik International
China Hopes for 'New Page' in Ties With Philippines
Until recently, the Philippines was considered the main partner of Vietnam in territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea. However, the situation seems to be changing.

However, it would not be correct to say that Vietnam has lost its main ally in those disputes, political analyst Grigoriy Lokshin told Sputnik Vietnam.

"Vietnam never put high hopes in the Philippines. There is a significant difference between their approaches to Beijing. Until recently, the US was the main ally for the Philippines. Washington prompted Manila to launch this case in The Hague since it corresponded with the US strategy to maintain controllable tensions in the region," Lokshin told Sputnik.

The expert suggested that the Middle East and the presidential election distracted Washington’s focus from the presidential election in the Philippines.

"As a result, Duterte came to power. He is a far-left politician and he is related to China. He dramatically changed Manila’s domestic and foreign policy. His change of heart towards the US was aimed at China. Duterte wants to receive significant concessions and investments from Beijing," Lokshin pointed out.

However, there is no unanimity in the Philippines on a broad range of domestic and foreign issues. Instead, there is always public discussion on those issues.

Chinese dredging vessels in the waters around Mischief Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea in this still image from video taken by a P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft provided by the United States Navy May 21, 2015. - Sputnik International
How China May Come Out on Top After the Hague Ruling on South China Sea
For example, a recent poll by Social Weather Stations revealed that 76 percent of the respondents have more trust in the US, rather than China.

As for Vietnam, it did not join the Philippines’ lawsuit in The Hague. Vietnam has a broad and intense network of ties with China.

"The Vietnamese government understood that if it joined the case China would respond. So, Hanoi neither supported nor condemned the move by the Philippines," the expert said.

Lokshin underscored that the recent statement by Duterte would significantly change the balance of power in the region.

"If even the Philippines does not want the implementation of the court’s decision other countries involved in the dispute will not stand against China," he concluded.

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