Duterte says U.S. has lost, aligns
Philippines with China
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[October 20, 2016]
By Ben Blanchard
BEIJING (Reuters) - Philippine President
Rodrigo Duterte announced his "separation" from the United States on
Thursday, declaring that it had "lost" and he had realigned with China
as the two agreed to resolve their South China Sea dispute through
talks.
Duterte made his comments in China, where he is visiting with at least
200 business people to pave the way for what he calls a new commercial
alliance as relations with longtime ally the United States deteriorate.
His trade secretary, Ramon Lopez, said $13.5 billion in deals would be
signed
Duterte's efforts to engage China, months after a tribunal ruling in the
Hague over South China Sea disputes in favor of the Philippines, marks a
reversal in foreign policy since the 71-year-old former mayor took
office on June 30.
"America has lost now," Duterte told Chinese and Philippine business
people at a forum in the Great Hall of the People, attended by Chinese
Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli.
"I've realigned myself in your ideological flow and maybe I will also go
to Russia to talk to (President Vladimir) Putin and tell him that there
are three of us against the world - China, Philippines and Russia. It's
the only way," he added.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Oct/20/images/ads/current/farmers_bank_sda_prom_050614.png)
"With that, in this venue, your honors, in this venue, I announce my
separation from the United States," Duterte said to applause. "I have
separated from them. So I will be dependent on you for all time. But do
not worry. We will also help as you help us."
China has pulled out all the stops to welcome Duterte, including a
marching band complete with batton-twirling band master at his official
welcoming ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People, which most
leaders do not get.
RED CARPET WELCOME
President Xi Jinping, meeting Duterte earlier in the day, called the
visit a "milestone" in ties.
Xi told Duterte that China and the Philippines were brothers and they
could "appropriately handle disputes", though he did not mention the
South China Sea in remarks made in front of reporters.
"I hope we can follow the wishes of the people and use this visit as an
opportunity to push China-Philippines relations back on a friendly
footing and fully improve things," Xi said.
Following their meeting, during which Duterte said relations with China
had entered a new "springtime", Chinese vice foreign minister Liu
Zhenmin said the South China Sea issue was not the sum total of
relations.
"The two sides agreed that they will do what they agreed five years ago,
that is to pursue bilateral dialogue and consultation in seeking a
proper settlement of the South China Sea issue," Liu said.
China claims most of the energy-rich South China Sea through which about
$5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. Neighbours Brunei,
Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims.
In 2012, China seized the disputed Scarborough Shoal and denied
Philippine fishermen access to its fishing grounds.
Liu said the shoal was not mentioned and he did not answer a question
about whether Philippine fishermen would be allowed there. He said both
countries had agreed on coastguard and fisheries cooperation, but did
not give details.
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![](../images/102016pics/news_n25.jpg)
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) speaks during a meeting with
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte at the Great Hall of the
People in Beijing, China, October 20, 2016. REUTERS/ Wu Hong/ Pool
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Oct/20/images/ads/current/brickey_lda_061314.png)
SEA ROW TAKES "BACK SEAT"
Duterte's tone toward Beijing is in contrast to the language he has
used against the United States, after being infuriated by U.S.
criticism of his bloody war on drugs.
He has called U.S. President Barack Obama a "son of a bitch" and
told his to "go to hell" while alluding to severing ties with the
old colonial power.
On Wednesday, to the cheers of hundreds of Filipinos in Beijing,
Duterte said Philippine foreign policy was veering toward China.
"I will not go to America anymore. We will just be insulted there,"
Duterte said. "So time to say goodbye my friend."
The same day, about 1,000 anti-U.S. protesters gathered outside the
U.S. embassy in Manila calling for the removal of U.S. troops from
the southern island of Mindanao.
Duterte on Wednesday said the South China Sea arbitration case would
"take the back seat" during talks, and that he would wait for the
Chinese to bring up the issue rather than doing so himself.
Xi said issues that could not be immediately be resolved should be
set aside, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.
China has welcomed the Philippines approaches, even as Duterte has
vowed not to surrender any sovereignty to Beijing, which views the
South China Sea Hague ruling as null and void.
China has also expressed support for his drug war, which has raised
concern in Western capitals about extrajudicial killing.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Oct/20/images/ads/current/graue_preowned_091216.png)
Duterte's overtures to China have been accompanied by signs of
improving business ties with the world's second largest economy.
China's Liu said Beijing will restore Philippine agricultural
exports to China and provide financing for Philippine
infrastructure.
(Writing by Michael Martina and Ryan Woo; Editing by Nick Macfie,
Robert Birsel)
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