Journalists watching Rody’s foreign policy

DEHONG DAI – Delegates and foreign journalists attending the ASEAN-China Center (ACC) 21st Century Maritime Silk Road conference in this prefecture in western Yunnan province yesterday said the world is eagerly watching the pronouncements and foreign policy thrusts of President Duterte, which could influence future trade and politics in the region.

ACC secretary general Yang Xiuping said Duterte’s boldness to strike friendship with China could mean lasting peace and prosperity and endless possibilities as far as the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are concerned.

“I cannot speak for the Chinese people in general on how they see the renewed friendship and cooperation between our governments, but as far as our officials are concerned, I believe they are sold to the fact that we are moving in the right direction,” Yang told The STAR, although careful not to touch on the eroding US-Philippines relations.

Brunei Ambassador to China Magdalene Teo said there are only two ways to settle the South China Sea issue – through dialogue and by following the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) – and the two countries are moving in this direction.

“There can only be progressive trades and people-to-people relationship if there is peace in the region. The good relationship between China and the Philippines will move the Belt and Road initiative to greater lengths,” Teo said.

Vithit Powattanasuk, ACC director of information, likened the relationship of the Philippines and China to the volatile border situation of his country Thailand and Cambodia, but “we still talk and cooperate on other aspects.”