On the occasion of U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin's visit to the Philippines, the two sides announced the resumption of the "Visiting Troops Agreement"

On the evening of July 29, local time, Philippine President Duterte met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the Presidential Palace, and the two sides announced the resumption of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and agreed that there is still room for strengthening relations between the two countries.

U.S. Defense Secretary Austin meets with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in Marakanan Palace. People's Vision Diagram

The United States "thanks" the Philippine side for its decision

Some countries have recently made groundless accusations against China on issues such as the South China Sea. On July 22, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian presided over a regular press conference. A reporter asked a question, on July 20, the website of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs published a press release on the bilateral talks between its vice minister of foreign affairs, Kenryo Mori, and visiting US Executive Deputy Secretary of State Sherman, criticizing the Chinese side by name on issues such as the East China Sea and the South China Sea. What is China's comment on this?

Zhao Lijian pointed out that on sea-related issues, China's determination to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests is unswerving, and it is willing to continue to properly handle differences with relevant countries through consultation and negotiation. Any external force, no matter how much it uses any pretext to intervene in the situation in the East china sea and the South China Sea, will only bring unnecessary interference to peace and tranquility in the region and will not conform to the interests of the countries in the region.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Philippine Defense Secretary Lorenzana on July 30, Austin said: "Let me thank President Duterte for his decision to fully resume the Visiting Forces Agreement. ”

Lorenzana said he wasn't sure why Duterte had changed his mind, but the decision was made after meeting with Austin.

According to Bloomberg, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) and other media reported on July 30, from July 29 to 30, Austin visited the Philippines. This is the first official visit to the Philippines by Austin, who has vowed to play a greater role in Asia, and he has made a "courtesy visit" to the Malakannan Palace, the philippine presidential palace, and will also meet with Lorenzana and Philippine Foreign Minister Lochin according to the arrangement.

During the 75-minute talks with Duterte, Austin told Duterte that as an "equal, sovereign partner," the United States wants to maintain a "close" relationship with the Philippines.

A statement released by Duterte's office on the 30th showed that the Philippines and the United States have conducted an "open and frank" dialogue on bilateral relations and their future development direction, and the two sides believe that they can strengthen the alliance relationship by "strengthening communication and cooperation", especially in "responding to epidemic diseases, combating transnational crimes such as illegal drug trade, maritime awareness, rule of law, trade and investment".

Duterte may try to curry favor with the Philippine military

The Visiting Forces Agreement is one of the important military agreements signed by the Philippines and the United States in 1998, which includes the relevant content of military exercises held by the two sides. Duterte proposed last year to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement, which was seen as the first major attempt by Duterte to sever its defense ties with the United States. In February, Duterte said it would have to "pay" if the U.S. wanted to maintain the Visiting Forces Agreement.

According to the website of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a regular press conference on 12 July that it is extremely irresponsible for the US side to disregard the historical longitude and objective facts of the South China Sea issue, violate and distort international law, violate the US Government's long-standing public commitment not to take a stand on the issue of sovereignty in the South China Sea, deliberately provoke disputes over territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, stir up relations between regional countries, and undermine regional peace and stability. The Chinese side expresses its strong dissatisfaction with and resolute opposition to the erroneous acts of the US side. In response to the differences between China and the Philippines, Philippine President Duterte has also stressed many times that the differences and contradictions between the two countries on individual issues should not affect the friendship and cooperation between the two sides. But there are still voices in the Philippines criticizing China and Duterte's China policy.

Xu Ruilin, an associate researcher at the Institute of International Relations in Rajalenan, Singapore, believes that Duterte is seeking to run for the Philippine vice presidency in 2022, and if he makes progress in relations with the United States, he can curry favor with the Philippine military and get the latter to support his election plan.

Austin visited three Southeast Asian countries, including Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines, in late July to strengthen alliances in the region.

Source: The Paper