The Duterte Administration’s China Policy

China and the Philippines are very close to each other,China and the Philippines enjoy a time-honored traditional friendship.After World War Ⅱ,against the backdrop of the Cold War,the Philippines did not establish diplomatic relations with China after it achieved independence in 1946.China and the Philippines established diplomatic relations in 1975.Since the establishment of diplomatic ties,China-Philippines relations have moved forward amidst twists and turns.During the administration of President Arroyo,China-Philippines relations developed in economy,politics,security and other aspects and lasted until the early days of President Aquino Ⅲ’s inauguration,which was called the "golden decade" of China-Philippines relations.In 2012,after the Huang yan Island standoff between China and the Philippines,Aquino Ⅲ,with the help of the Asia-pacific rebalancing strategy proposed by the Obama administration,submitted the South China Sea arbitration case to the temporary arbitral tribunal and Sino-Philippine relations fell to a freezing point.The Philippines did not get the benefits it wanted,and missed the opportunity of economic cooperation with China.After President Duterte took office,his China policy is mainly manifested in three aspects:first,easing political relations with China;Second,it is actively carrying out economic cooperation and promoting the synergy between the Philippines’"Great Construction" plan and China’s "Belt and Road" Initiative.Third,it adjusts strategy on the South China Sea issue and shelve the Arbitration case.Fourth,it promotes cultural exchanges and cooperation.Duterte’s China policy is characterized by pragmatism,independence and balance between great powers.The background and reasons for the Duterte administration’s China policy are Duterte’s personal policy preference,backward domestic economic development,serious drug crime problem,the cooling of the US-Philippines alliance and the development of Sino-Philippine relations.The Duterte administration’s shift in China policy has many implications.The first is to promote the independence of Philippine foreign policy,economic development and security enhancement.The second is to promote the development of China’s neighborhood diplomacy,the implementation of the “Belt and Road” Initiative.And peace and stability in the South China Sea.Finally,it urges the United States to adjust its policy towards the Philippines and further draw other countries such as the Philippines into confrontation with China.On June 30,2022,the Philippine government will usher in the next administration.In the great changes unseen in a century,the competition between the US and China is becoming increasingly fierce.As a small country between China and the US and a traditional ally of the US,the Philippines will face more difficult choices in foreign policy.All things considered,The next Philippine government’s China policy will follow two directions:one is to continue to actively carry out economic cooperation with China;Second,it will pursue a balanced policy of major powers on the South China Sea issue.