As Philippines moves closer to US, will region change tack on China?

Manila would ‘inevitably be collateral damage’ in a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, which explains pivot to Washington, observer says

But it is not expected to result in a significant change in approach on Beijing by other Southeast Asian nations

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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr and US leader Joe Biden moved to deepen ties during talks in Washington on Monday. Photo: AP

Dewey Simin Singapore

Published: 8:00pm, 2 May 2023

Manila’s “inevitable” pivot towards Washington is likely to have a limited impact on how other nations in the region handle Taiwan and the South China Sea, observers say.

There was growing recognition that the Philippines would “inevitably be collateral damage” in the event of a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, which explained the efforts to deepen ties with Washington, according to diplomatic observer Charmaine Willoughby.

In talks with US President Joe Biden at the White House on Monday, Philippine leader Ferdinand Marcos Jnr described the relationship as essential amid “possibly the most complicated geopolitical situation in the world right now”.

02:55

US touts ‘ironclad’ commitment to the Philippines amid rising tensions in South China Sea

Biden told Marcos that the United States remained “ironclad in our commitment to the defence of the Philippines, including in the South China Sea”. “We are facing new challenges and I couldn’t think of a better partner to have than you,” he said.

It came just days after a near-collision between a Chinese coastguard ship and a Philippine patrol vessel in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety.

The incident prompted Manila to call on Beijing to stop its “aggressive action”, while China’s foreign ministry said it was a “premeditated provocation” by the Philippine vessels.

A White House statement released after Monday’s talks made no mention of the incident but said Biden and Marcos had underscored their “unwavering commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea”. The leaders also affirmed the “importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of global security and prosperity”.

02:53

Philippines rebukes Beijing for 'dangerous manoeuvres' in South China Sea

As Philippines moves closer to US, will region change tack on China?

Manila would ‘inevitably be collateral damage’ in a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, which explains pivot to Washington, observer says But it is not expected to result in a significant change in approach on Beijing by other Southeast Asian nations

Manila would ‘inevitably be collateral damage’ in a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, which explains pivot to Washington, observer says

But it is not expected to result in a significant change in approach on Beijing by other Southeast Asian nations