Dakis, Teresa Gene V.

AB Foreign Service / FS302

International Political Economy
Professor: Mr. Jumel G. Estrañero
March 05 2018

The Relationship between Philippines, China and United States

We all know that many changes happened between our relationship with China and
United states after our president Duterte has been elected. Philippines and US before, are known
as very close country because of being with each other for years. US always have a good
relationship with our country, Philippines because they help us every time there are disasters, and
other political and economic problems. Of course, in the issue of the South China sea or the Spratly
island. Since the United States and the Philippines have a mutual defense treaty that has been in
effect since 1952, but it does not extend to territorial disputes involving the Spratly Islands. US-
Philippine relations are based on shared history and commitment to democratic principles, as well
as on economic and military ties until our president changed. It is not only with our president, but
also when US president has been changed by US president Donald Trump. The relationship with
US become opposite after that. It is not about the south china sea but there are also other conflicts
like in economy.

It is not just our relationship with US that changed but also with China. In US, we have
a good relationship that become worst. Our relationship with China become also opposite. Since
we have issue about the south china sea, we known China as rival. But now, we have a good
relationship with them because of our president strategy. We can say that our relation with China
have improved. They also helped us now. But we all know that it is just the strategy of our president
and both country is just wearing mask since they have their own intention. In issue about the South
China Sea, PH won the arbitration case but China didn’t accept the result. Since it become not
successful, both countries just decided to have an agreement. Both sides agreed to strengthen
maritime cooperation in areas such as marine environmental protection, disaster risk reduction,
and also cooperation and peaceful uses.

As of 2018, the United States has the world's largest economy and China has the second
largest. Relations between the two countries is stable even though they have some conflicts.
Currently, China and the United States have mutual political, economic, and security interests.
They both remain in dispute over territorial issues in the South China Sea. They maintain their
good relation between each other because we know that US gets their weapons from China. Even
though the president of US changed, both countries says that they still have the good relations and
they made a great progress. So even there is an issue in South China sea and they both involved
on it, President of the US, Donald Trump and President of China, Xi Jinping are in good terms.
Even in their Economic relation both countries take advantages to each other. Since they have the
largest economy, they can depend on each other. If Japan will be involved also in the issue of south
china sea and become alliance of the Philippines, This will be a big help since these three countries,
US, China and Japan is stable countries. Japan is also advanced and a modern country which is
can really help our country because honestly speaking we need more improvements.

For me, I guess after 10 years, this issue’s status will remain as it is. Since the China
already planned this for years, I think it will be hard for Philippines to really claim that island. And
we know that it is not only China who are claiming this Island. We are just following what China’s
want and that is because our president also following it since it is his strategy. I would have
recommend that we should be independent in decision of the case even though it is hard to have
an affair with China because of their status. But we can seek help from other countries, not only
in the US, because in my opinion we are stuck between the US and China.