Pivot Toward China

A Critical Analysis of the Philippines' Policy Shift on the South China Sea Disputes

Datos Bibliográficos

ID6040236
AutoresMark Bryan F Manantan, Mark Bryan Manantan (0000-0001-9287-4191, autor de correspondencia)
Año2019
Volumen11
Número4
Páginas643-662
Fecha de publicación2019-10-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaAsian Politics & Policy (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1943-0787 • E-ISSN: 1943-0779
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/aspp.12498
OpenAlexW2989839492
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas7
Referencias citadas11

This article investigates the Philippines' puzzling reversal of its position against China following its victory in the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) on maritime claims in the South China Sea. Instead of asserting its de jure sovereign rights, which were reaffirmed by the PCA's decision, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte instead opted to build stronger relations with China. Proposing a burden sharing analytical approach, the article argues that the Philippines is using China as leverage in its alliance with the United States. By exploiting the “China Card” and downplaying the arbitration case, the Philippines has extracted concessions from Beijing and Washington. In capitalizing on the Sino‐American rivalry, Manila has reaffirmed its strategic value within the U.S.‒Philippines alliance while benefitting more visibly from Chinese foreign aid and investment pledges. However, the Philippines’ policy posture vis‐à‐vis China reflects short‐term diplomatic and economic tactics rather than an enduring strategic reorientation away from the United States

Alliance · Arbitration · Beijing · China · Economics · Economy · Foreign policy · International trade · Leverage (statistics · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Rivalry · Sovereignty · Victory · International Arbitration and Investment Law · International Maritime Law Issues · International Relations and Foreign Policy · Law