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The Philippines
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Lucio Blanco Pitlo III
Lucio Blanco Pitlo III

Asian Angle | Philippines-China relations: Marcos can learn from Duterte’s diplomacy, as recent Beijing visit shows

  • It’s unclear whether the former Philippine president’s surprise private goodwill visit to China had his successor’s official blessing
  • But it acts as a reminder of the importance of keeping stable and robust ties with Beijing, as Marcos prepares his second State of the Nation Address

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Philippine former President Rodrigo Duterte (left) meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Monday. Photo: Xinhua via AP
Lucio Blanco Pitlo III
The visit of former Philippine President President Rodrigo Duterte to China on Monday was a private effort to steady ties troubled by maritime incidents and Manila’s rapid tilt towards its long-time ally, the United States.
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It was a surprise twist a week ahead of the second State of the Nation Address of his successor, Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, that put the country’s sharp foreign policy swings on the spot. While it’s unclear whether the trip had official blessing, Marcos said he welcomed “any new lines of communication” that can help.
China remains the Philippines’ largest trade partner. But unlike its other Southeast Asian neighbours, including fellow South China Sea claimants, attempts to cushion relations from the intractable sea spat has long proved to be elusive for Manila.

In the past, solons and taipans (lawmakers and business executives) have typically been approached to help de-escalate tensions discreetly. But former leaders usually have marginal influence in shaping the agenda of a sitting president – although some sought out their predecessors’ advice. Some ex-presidents have also been tasked with exploring reopening dialogue or signalling an interest in a detente.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr salutes a guard of honour during an event at Clark Air Base in Angeles City on July 3 to mark the Philippine Air Force’s anniversary. Photo: EPA-EFE
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr salutes a guard of honour during an event at Clark Air Base in Angeles City on July 3 to mark the Philippine Air Force’s anniversary. Photo: EPA-EFE
Duterte, for instance, met with four former presidents – Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Arroyo and Benigno Aquino III – as he charted his foreign policy agenda early on his term in 2016. He came to power at one of the lowest points in Philippines-China relations, assuming office two weeks after a landmark ruling on the South China Sea came out.
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