The Philippines’ Perception and Strategy for China’s Belt and Road Initiative Expansion: Hedging with Balancing

The Duterte administration has adopted a positive attitude toward China; however, Filipino people are cautious in cooperating with China because of Chinese behavior in the South China Sea dispute and the country’s increasing influence on the world economy and regional security. The Filipino business sector’s stance on this collaboration is closer to that of the government’s because the BRI is perceived as a good business opportunity. Although there are diverging stances toward China and the BRI among state, people, and businesses in Philippines, these differences have not influenced President Duterte’s decision to cooperate with China under the framework of the BRI. The Duterte administration shelved differences pertaining to the South China Sea dispute first and then participated in the Chinese government’s BRI. Philippines’ government has tried to combine China’s funding and technology with Philippines’ Build, Build, Build program to improve domestic infrastructure, expand export of agriculture products to China, and increase economic growth rate. The Duterte administration has thus expanded cooperation with China for benefits in terms of economy, trade, science and technology, agriculture, education, tourism, and infrastructure through the BRI. The implications of the above actions taken by Philippines’ government include promotion of Philippines’ economic and infrastructure developments and elimination of security threats from China without the United States’ support through cooperation with China by participation in the BRI. Hence, shelving the South China Sea dispute is a means of promoting cooperation between the Philippines and China. The Duterte administration hopes to neutralize the effects of the pro-United States foreign policy in the past by cooperating with China in favor of maximum national interest.