Is the Philippines Pro-China Policy Working

As President Rodrigo Duterte made a rapprochement with China to discuss possible joint exploration of
the resources in West Philippine Sea it has drawn more Chinese nationals to Philippines from the year of
2015 to 2018, 79% Chinese tourist surged in the Philippines during 2015 to 2016 and grow up to 33 to
42% last 2017 to 2018, which made China as the second largest source of tourist with 645,000 arrivals in
the first eight months of 2018 that also made the increase in the number of Chinese workers in the
Philippines. In 2016, 41,000 foreign workers were given an Alien Employment Permit (AEPs).

Furthermore, the Philippine-China trade experienced a mild improvement by having a $699.48 million to
$929.98 million during the year 2017 up to 2018. There was a surge in equity capital from China and
Hong Kong during 2016, However, the Philippine Central Bank revealed that surge lasted only during the
last two months of the said year, which means it was not sustained. The PCB reports that the surge of
China investment is probably because of the entry of their offshore gaming firms, as well as the other
kind of investments such as financial sector, real state, and professional services.

Meanwhile, investments grown automatically when it comes to the areas of real state and online
gaming. In 2016 the Philippine Amusement and Gaming corp. (PAGcor) issued rules to regulate
operations in the Philippines offshore gaming operators, entities that offer online gaming services to
foreign players. More than fifty gamin firm were given permits to operate and entertain Chinese clients.
Ayala Land as one of the biggest real state developers, revealed that in 2017, 47.4% of its international
sales were from Chinese buyers, while the SM Prime Holdings got 10% and the DMCI Holdings as a big
player in the real state development industry holds a 50% Chinese clients during 2018. It can be seen
that local real state developers make a remarkable profits in the blooming ties between Philippines and
China.

A realistic view of the Philippine-American relations

Philippines is an independent country recognized by United States and established diplomatic relations
in 1946. The country Philippines was beneath IS administration since the Spanish-American war was
finished in 1898. The relation of Philippines and United States have a great foundation when it comes to
historical, cultural links, and a shared commitment to democracy and human rights.

There was a popular impression towards "special relation" that was built between both countries which
is an unchangeable fact, not until former Mayor of Davao Rodrigo Duterte took an oath as a President of
the Philippines, and in just a few months of his presidency the separation of Philippines from US was
announced by him additional the harsh and plebeian term and statements against America and the
former President of US Barack Obama. Despite of the negative characteristics shown to America there
are still assistance that US willingly gave to the Philippine Military to fight for ISIS in Marawi.
Additionally, there is a reason why US will continue to have an interest in the Philippines, albeit the
"temporary" grief performed by the Philippines towards them. Because it is significant for America to
have a strong presence in Asia when it comes to political, economical, and military which Philippines
occupies a strategic geographical position in the area which is also important to the emergence of China,
to use as a threat to America's significant role in the state. Likewise, it is also necessary for the
Philippines to have the US as a trading partner and as a military shield. These shows the realistic
situation of Philippine-US relation when it comes to government-to-government basis.

The Philippines “Pivot” to China: A Review of perspectives

According to (Ibarra,2017) President Rodrigo Duterte leave some observers astonished aa he announce
the separation of his country to be independent on China, albeit of it bellicose approach of the previous
administration towards China.

Some analysts considered the President of the Philippines as rational actor who understands realism and
geo-strategy that separation from US would allow the Philippines to forge security partnership with
other centre of power in multi polar world (Ibarra,2017). It would also help the Philippines to avoid
becoming a collateral damage in following an intensified China-US rivalry in the South China Sea,
because the US known as a treaty alliance of the Philippines has failed to give nonambiguous assurance
that it will support the country during the conflict with China, especially the Scarborough Shoal stand off
in 2012. When it comes to economic activities, US has also been largely inactive in the global
infrastructure market, a sector where China represented itself as a key investor in 2017. It is also a
perspective that President Duterte realized that ASEAN is not a shoulder to lean on for the Philippines
when it comes to the South China Sea disputes.

In a nutshell, China's economic offerings are satisfactory compared to the US unwillingness in both
security and economic matters. The ASEAN's fragmented support, thus, prompting the pivot of the
Philippines when it comes to Foreign policy decision-making.

References:

Macabenta, Greg B. (2017, July 12) A realistic view of Philippine-American relations. Retrieved from
https://www.bworldonline.com/realistic-view-philippine-american-relations/

Ibarra, Edcel John A. (2017, May) The Philippines “Pivot” to China: A review of Perspectives. Retrieved
from http://www.fsi.gov.ph/the-philippines-pivot-to-china-a-review-of-perspectives/

Mendoza, Ronald U. And Banaag, Miann S. (2018, November 14) Is the Philippines Pro-China Policy
Working. Retrieve from httpss://thediplomat.com/2018/11/is-the-philippines-pro-china-policy-working/