/ world today news/ The President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos, recently visited Vietnam. During it, he said he was “disturbed” by the territorial dispute with Beijing in the South China Sea. This gave rise to some Western media to raise the thesis of the “Chinese threat” again.
According to public information, the governments of the Philippines and Vietnam have signed two memorandums of understanding that provide for the establishment of a hotline for communication and cooperation between the coast guard units of the countries. According to Chinese experts, the Philippines is trying to use the security issue to create a “small circle” directed against Beijing in the South China Sea and increase pressure on China. This is another new trend in Philippine policy on the South China Sea issue. Behind these actions of Manila, however, loom the interests of the United States.
The Philippines’ approach is an isolated case within ASEAN. Since last year, when the country began its series of provocative actions against China in the South China Sea, it has not been supported by any other ASEAN country, whose trade and economic relations with China are extremely important. In 2023, ASEAN is still China’s largest trading partner for four consecutive years, and a confrontation between the countries runs counter to their core interests and will only cause resentment and resistance.
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