Philippines Says Ties With US, Japan a 'Sovereign Choice'

Facts

• The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday that strengthening relations with Japan and the US is the country's 'sovereign choice and decision' in accordance with its national interests and independent foreign policy.¹
• Furthermore, Manila called on Beijing to 'reflect upon its own actions' in the Indo-Pacific, arguing that Chinese maritime claims and its alleged aggressive behavior are to blame for mounting regional tensions.²
• This comes after the PRC opposed the formation of 'exclusive circles in the region' in reference to the recent US-Japan-Philippines trilateral summit, which it claimed could 'stoke and drive up tensions.'³
• The Chinese Foreign Ministry reaffirmed that position on Thursday, adding that baseless allegations and deliberate smear campaigns against Beijing on the South China Sea are unacceptable.⁴
• Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard — which patrols the country's exclusive economic zone — announced that six of its ships will participate in the annual US-Philippines joint military exercises starting Monday.⁵
• The 19-day-long drills will reportedly be the first ever to be carried out beyond Philippine territorial waters, and will involve over 16K soldiers simulating recapturing the northernmost islands of the archipelago.⁶

Sources: ¹INQUIRER.net, ²RAPPLER, ³Reuters, ⁴XINHUA, ⁵South China Morning Post and ⁶Guardian.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Philstar.com. As a sovereign nation, the Philippines has the right and autonomy to enhance relations with whichever country it chooses — especially when such cooperation promotes regional peace and stability. Instead of blaming other countries, China should abide by international law and avoid militarizing its excessive maritime claims.
• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Global Times. Tricked by the promises of a self-serving power that's seeking to use it as cannon fodder for American interests, the Philippines has neglected its own national interests to side with the US. That path can only increase its chances of being placed in harm's way as part of a wider hegemonic game to undermine China's prosperity and reunification.

Predictions