China and the Philippines chart the course towards a calmer South China Sea

How a constructive framework for the South China Sea issue can be built is one of the burning questions facing the world today. The improvement of China-Philippines relations in the past few years provides a useful case study.

For example, at the second meeting of the bilateral consultation mechanism on the South China Sea between China and the Philippines on February 13 in Manila, vice-foreign ministers from both sides discussed cooperation in the areas of fisheries, oil and gas, marine scientific research and environmental protection. The establishment of working groups in these areas shows that China-Philippines relations go beyond South China Sea disputes.

Since taking office, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has begun to build good relations with China, upholding an “independent foreign policy” to decrease the influence of Washington. Scholars claim this is a “hedging strategy” used by small states to take advantage of big powers, but as time goes by, it has become clear that Duterte realises the value of ties with China. The improvement in bilateral relations will contribute to stability in the South China Sea and promote prosperity in the region.