Philippines’ tilt towards China undermines US strategy for Asia
JUST when some of China’s neighbours were seeking to curtail its expansionism, along came Rodrigo Duterte.In less than three months on the job, the 71-year-old Philippines leader has used expletives in talking about US President Barack Obama and vowed to end cooperation with the US military in fighting terrorism and patrolling the disputed South China Sea.He has moved to boost economic and defence ties with China and Russia.While Duterte is unpredictable, his behaviour has undermined US efforts to rally nations from Japan to Vietnam and Australia to stand up to China’s military assertiveness.In doing so, he risks shifting from the 1951 Philippines-US defence treaty, which has been a bedrock of American influence in the region.While Duterte has said he will respect the alliance, he has repeatedly stressed the need for an "independent foreign policy" and questioned the US’s willingness to intervene if China were to seize territory in the South China Sea."This could be the game-changer...
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