The influence of China on Philippine foreign policy: the case of Duterte's independent foreign policy

Name: Sison, Nathan Daniel V.

keyword: Foreign policy

; Duterte

; China

; Neo-classical realism

; South China Sea

Abstract: Since the start of his administration, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has pursued a foreign policy which has been in contrast with the containment policy of the Aquino administration towards China. The new leader immediately pushed forward for a true practice of independent foreign policy which denotes that the country will seek closer relations with China and Russia as it distances itself from its traditional ally, the US. The policy shift of this administration is also understood as a “Pivot to China,” which explicitly demonstrate a change in the normal pattern of the country’s strategic diplomacy with aims of diversifying options and improving relations with other countries. However, Duterte’s desire to move closer with China while downplaying the South China Sea dispute attracted disapprovals and was immediately dubbed as a “national tragedy” by former Philippine foreign secretary Albert del Rosario.This research seeks to identify and analyze the reasons behind the shift in foreign policy by looking at China as the main factor. The study employs Gideon Rose’s neoclassical realism as a lens of foreign policy analysis. With that, this study offers as systematic explanation of the action taken by the new administration by examining the series of events in the revitalizing Philippine- Sino relationship. Moreover, this research also provides insights on the positive and negative implications of it. It delves into the perceptions of the Philippine foreign policy decision-makers, particularly of President Duterte towards China’s intentions and its chosen foreign-policy response as engaged by his administration. This thesis argues that China’s support and compatibility to Duterte’s national priorities feeds in Duterte’s perception of perceiving it as the best partner for his government among the different state actors in the international system, thus ushering the shift in Philippine foreign policy.

Thammasat University. Thammasat University Library

Address: BANGKOK

Email: preserv@tu.ac.th

Name: Chanintira Na Thalang

Role: advisor

Created: 2017

Modified: 2021-04-27

Issued: 2021-04-27

วิทยานิพนธ์/Thesis

application/pdf

DOI: 10.14457/TU.the.2017.44

eng

DegreeName: Master of Arts

Level: Master's Degree

Descipline: Asia-Pacific Studies

Grantor: Thammasat University

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