Duterte reassures Tokyo but continues to move away from Washington

Philippine President ends a three-day visit for 60th anniversary of bilateral relations with Japan. Military and commercial agreements signed for $ 210 million. South China Sea cooperation reaffirmed. Duterte, however, announces his intention to dismiss the US military from the Philippines and cancels joint exercises.

 

Tokyo (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Trade and military agreements, and  renewed understanding for the Asia-Pacific stability were the issues at the center of the 70 minute closed door meeting between the Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe .

The two met yesterday, on the second day of the Filipino head of states visit to mark  the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations. The trip comes just days from Duterte’s address in Beijing, in which he formalized his "separation" from the United States.

According to many analysts Japan, a close US ally, has to play the part of the mediator to avoid a final rupture between Manila and the United States.

In the joint statement published after a meeting between the two leaders, Japan granted the Philippines a loan of 21 billion yen (210 million dollars) for projects involving maritime security and other fields. Tokyo also promised to provide 5 billion yen to finance agricultural development and the promotion of peace in the island of Mindanao, from which Duterte comes.

Speaking to the press, the Philippine president and Abe reaffirmed cooperation in the South China Sea (where the two countries have shared interests in containing the expansionist policy of Beijing) and the importance of their "friendship and alliance" with the United States . The latter aspect, however, was not included in the written agreement.

In a mediation effort, Shinzo Abe praised the rapprochement between Manila and Beijing, saying that "the issue of the South China Sea is linked directly with the peace and stability of the entire region and affects the international community. For this reason, Japan welcomes the efforts of the President Duterte in visiting China in an effort to improve relations with Beijing. "

However, Duterte seems to oscillate continuously between the traditional alliance with the US and a new friendship with China.

During the first day of visit to Japan, Duterte said that, unlike Tokyo, Manila wants to rid their territory of US military forces (about 35 thousand soldiers): ""I want, maybe in the next two years, my country freed of the presence of foreign military troops. I want them out and if I have to revise or abrogate agreements, executive agreements, I will".

Today Duterte should meet Emperor Akihito, who is still mourning the loss of his uncle, Prince Mikasa, who died today at 100 years of age.

• Japan philippines Duterte China USA alliances South
• China
• Sea agreements