APD Review | China never be jealous of Japan-Philippine friendship

APD NEWS

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By APD Writer Wang Peng

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to Japan has accomplished successfully.

During the visit, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held talks with him in Tokyo on Monday. The two sides said now Tokyo and Manila are entering a “golden age of strategic partnership” as they deepen cooperation on infrastructure construction and counter-terrorism.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

In a joint statement, Abe promised that Japan will support Philippines in the reconstruction of the conflict-torn southern city of Marawi. He also reaffirmed that the Japanese government and private-sector corporations will extend economic cooperation worth 1 trillion yen over the next five years to help Duterte’s initiatives to revamp social infrastructure, including projects to build subways in Manila and improve rivers in Davao City, where Duterte served as mayor for many years.

How to evaluate this strategic and economic ‘closing up’ between Tokyo and Manila? Some western observers are saying Japan is trying to counter China’s regional influence with its yen-diplomacy, and aims to win Philippines over on the South China Sea issue. But how much sway can Japan have over the Philippines? What is China’s possible strategic response?

First, we have to admit the reality that after this leadership meeting, there is enormous progress in Japan- Philippine bilateral relations, including but not limited to:

  1. Tokyo’s commitment to providing assistance in the reconstruction of the strife-torn southern Philippine city of Marawi

  2. Economic cooperation worth 1 trillion yen (nearly $9 billion) over the next five years.

In this condition, many western observers generate conspiracy theories that all Japanese conducts are implicitly uniting Philippine to go against China. Is that true? ‘Maybe’ is my answer. Perhaps Japan is trying to play an economic assistance race against Beijing, in accordance with Tokyo’s statements and conducts during recent years. BUT this will not become an obstacle between China-Philippine relations.

Actually, China is always happy to see the great progress of the friendship and economic cooperation among its neighbors, including bilateral relations between Philippine and Japan.

President Rodrigo Duterte said, ‘Japan is the true friend of Philippine.’ He also once claimed similar statement – so is China. So there is nothing for China to envy.

All the catastrophizing or schadenfreude about the decline of Sino- Philippine relations is just the prisoner of Cold War mentality or outdated zero-sum game.

China in rejuvenation is confident enough to initiate the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind, which may start from the harmonious neighborhood with a shared future.

As President Xi Jinping clearly claimed, ‘It makes clear that major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics aims to foster a new type of international relations and build a community with a shared future for mankind.’

Since China is ready and confident enough to cooperate with its neighbors to build a harmonious community in East Asia, Beijing will never be so nervous about its neighbors’ friendship.

At the same time, we have to notice that China’s core interest – national security can never be sacrificed. As President Xi asserted, ‘China will never pursue development at the expense of others’ interests, but nor will China ever give up its legitimate rights and interests.

No one should expect China to swallow anything that undermines its interests. China pursues a national defense policy that is in nature defensive. China’s development does not pose a threat to any other country.

No matter what stage of development it reaches, China will never seek hegemony or engage in expansion.’ We are pleased to see that President Duterte politely refused Abe’s proposal that Japan to provide missile weapon to Philippines.

At this juncture, Philippine need historical insight, cross-board vision, astute wisdom and resolute decision. And President Duterte’s decision is beyond all question the one that meets Philippine people’s real need and welfare.

“If we start a third world war, that would be the end (of the world),” he said, “Actually, I told (Prime Minister) Abe, I don’t need missiles.” Let’s applause for President Duterte’s wisdom, for the coming peace and prosperity of Asia-Pacific.


Dr. Wang Peng, Research Fellow at the Charhar Institute and China Institute of Fudan University.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)