Richard Heydarian

Opinion | Marcos Jnr bolstered China-Philippines relations, but how will US ties, South China Sea and infrastructure factor in?

The Philippine president came away from his first state visit to China with an array of new trade and investment deals

Still, economic ties may yet be tested by deepening US-Philippine security cooperation, a lack of progress on China-backed infrastructure projects, and ongoing disputes in the South China Sea

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Richard Heydarian

Published: 9:15am, 11 Jan 2023

“As I leave for Beijing, I will be opening a new chapter in our comprehensive strategic cooperation with China,” declared Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr ahead of his maiden visit to the Asian superpower.

“I hope to return home to the Philippines with a harvest of agreements and investments that will benefit our countrymen and further strengthen the foundation of our economic environment,” he added, underscoring how bilateral relations have been “deep, multifaceted, and mutually beneficial”.

By all accounts, Marcos’ first major overseas visit was successful, bagging up to US$22.8 billion in trade and investment deals.

The two sides agreed to “carry forward high-quality projects” under China’s much-vaunted Belt and Road Initiative. Marcos, who is concurrently the agriculture secretary, also managed to secure a series of cooperation agreements to enhance his country’s food security.

Crucially, the two countries agreed to “appropriately manage differences through peaceful means”, particularly in the South China Sea. They are even exploring the potential for holding Annual Defence Security Talks to boost defence cooperation.

Despite a promising start under Marcos Jnr, however, bilateral ties will be truly tested in the coming years over a number of outstanding issues, most notably the dearth of big-ticket infrastructure investment projects, Manila’s revitalised defence ties with Washington, and the festering maritime disputes in the South China Sea.