Data Map: Duterte (left) visited Japan and met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
165438+1On October 3rd, it was reported that although Tokyo provided financial support to Manila, Japan's position in the Philippines could not compete with that of China.
According to the report of 165438+ 10, Philippine president duterte concluded his talks with Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe on the 30th, which can be said to have achieved fruitful results. Japan promised to fund infrastructure projects, including the reconstruction of Malawi, which was destroyed in the fight against the "Islamic State".
According to the report, at the joint press conference held on the 30th, Abe said: "President Duterte and I can confirm that our two maritime countries share the same basic values and strategic interests."
According to the report, however, Japanese leaders actually hope that the Philippines can express a "clearer and firmer" position on the South China Sea issue. Abe had envisaged wooing some small and medium-sized countries to form an alliance against China.
However, during his visit to Japan, people noticed that Duterte never mentioned China. Some analysts believe that Duterte is playing the "China card" against Tokyo in order to maximize his interests.
"Simply put, Duterte came for money," Ito Gang, a professor of politics and international relations at Meiji University in Japan, told the media. "In this sense, his behavior is consistent with that of regional politicians, that is, looking for sources of funds." He added, "Now he is also trying to get funds from other countries."
According to the report, Duterte was calm compared with his predecessor Aquino III's fierce criticism of China.
According to the report, Duterte had previously received a commitment of $24 billion from Beijing, but this time Abe announced $8.8 billion for the reconstruction of Mindanao, which was somewhat dwarfed. These funds will also be used to build the Manila subway, upgrade the railway network in the Philippines, and prepare for disasters. In addition, the realization of "Duterte Economics" also needs funds.
Kingston, director of the Institute of Japanese and Asian Studies at Temple University, believes that Duterte's visit to Japan is an out-and-out "bargain".
"In many ways, it can be said that he is very smart, playing one card and containing another." Kingston said that China is well aware that it is not difficult for Duterte to take advantage of this situation to get money. "At the same time, Japan hopes to win over Duterte to support their position in the South China Sea."
According to the report, in the past, the United States would try its best to cater to Duterte in order to contain China. After all, Manila has maintained long-term economic and security ties with Washington. However, Kingston believes that the frequent ambiguous signals from the White House cannot make the Philippines firmly stand on the side of the United States on many issues. As a result, Japan had to shoulder the responsibility of countering China in this region.
Ito Gang, a professor of politics and international relations at Meiji University in Japan, said: "Obviously, many meetings between Abe and Duterte have a secret purpose, and that is to join hands with Manila to counter Beijing."