Analysts believe that despite the cancellation of the special Philippine envoy's trip to China for unknown reasons, Sino-Philippine relations will remain steady and positive.
A trip to China by former Philippine leader Fidel Ramos, a special envoy chosen by President Rodrigo Duterte to initiate dialogue and repair ties with Beijing, has been canceled, an aide to Ramos said on Tuesday, Reuters reported.
For President Duterte's administration, an official visit to Beijing has much more significance than the "ice-breaker" in Hong Kong in August. It would be prudent and shrewd for the Philippines to consider expectations for bilateral talks, Zhuang Guotu, head of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Xiamen University, told the Global Times Tuesday.
There is no need for the Philippines to rush improving bilateral ties as the country still needs to consider many political factors, including pressure from the US, Zhuang noted.
Wang Xiaopeng, a maritime border expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times that Sino-Philippine relations are still in the adjustment phase. "Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is still dealing with historical challenges left by the administration of former president Benigno Aquino III, which provoked regional conflicts and also affected the country's development by deliberately confronting China with the South China Sea disputes."
Unlike his predecessor's close alliance with the U.S., Duterte is taking a more independent foreign policy. He is repairing ties with other powers like China and Russia in a bid to achieve a new balance, said Wang, adding that he has confidence in improving bilateral relations between China and the Philippines, and hopes the two countries would work together on a range of political matters.
Duterte said on Monday that he would open all avenues of trade and commerce with China and Russia, adding that he is about to "cross the rubicon between me and the U.S."
