Continuation And Difference:A Comparative Study Of The Philippines’ South China Sea Policy (2010-2020)

The sovereignty dispute in the South China Sea is the "highlight" of Sino-Philippine relations and an important factor influencing the stability of the situation in the South China Sea.Since Aquino III came to power,after briefly continuing the South China Sea policy of the previous administration,and gradually integrating with the US Asia-Pacific strategy,the Philippines’ South China Sea policy has shown a trend of "radicalization".Then,the "Huangyan Island" incident broke out between China and the Philippines and a diplomatic seesaw battle has been launched around the "South China Sea Arbitration" for several years.The South China Sea issue has become the focus of attention of the international community.The situation in the region suddenly became tense.Philippine domestic regime change has become a key of the South China Sea situation changed.Since Rodrigo Duterte became president,the Philippines’ South China Sea policy has changed from "allied with the United States to control China" to "strictly observing neutrality." The pragmatic style,diverse means,and balance of powers have become typical characteristics of that policy.As high-quality development requires China’s help,coupled with the difficulty of fulfilling the security promises from the United States,China’s increased efforts and determination to defend rights in the South China Sea,and the internal constraints of ASEAN on member states,the Duterte administration had to "soften" its South China Sea policy.However,the objective existence of the "South China Sea Arbitration" and the constraints of the political conservatives have set limits for the "softening" of the policy.Duterte must appease domestic nationalist sentiment and remain moderately tough on the South China Sea issue to maintain the legitimacy and stability of his regime.In general,The South China Sea policy of the Philippine government from 2010 to the present has both continuity and difference.The Duterte administration has inherited and revised the "radicalization" of the Aquino III government in the South China Sea policy.The Duterte administration continued the South China Sea policy goal of pursuing the maximization of national interests,moderately softened policy measures,sought a political settlement of sovereignty disputes,changed its attitude of confrontation with China,took the initiative to cool down the South China Sea issue,and initiated the transformation and improvement of Sino-Philippine relations.China and the Philippines should seize the opportunity to further reduce the proportion of sovereignty disputes in bilateral relations,strengthen economic ties,deepen political mutual trust,speed up the negotiation process of the "Code of Conduct",which could Establish regional dispute management and control mechanisms,so that the South China Sea will truly become a "sea of peace,friendship,and cooperation."...