Manila ( AsiaNews / Agencies) - In conjunction with Barack Obama's state visit to the Philippines, Manila and Washington have signed an agreement on military cooperation to counter Beijing 's expansionism in the South China Sea and throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The U.S. President landed in the Philippine capital in the early afternoon (local time), the last and most complex stage of his Asian tour that included Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. He will meet with his Philippine counterpart Benigno Aquino and will have to reassure his allies in Manila, concerned by China's growing "imperialism"; However, at the same time he must also avoid a head-on collision with Beijing.
Ahead of Obama's arrival, this morning a military agreement was signed authorizing a greater presence of U.S. troops in the South- East Asian nation. In short, it will lasts 10 years and will allow America greater access to the ports, aviation and military bases on Philippine soil. At the same time, U.S. troops will provide better training and logistical support to Manila's army.
The Philippine Foreign Minister Albert del Rosario has described it as " milestone in our shared history as enduring treaty allies", one which " elevates to a higher plane of engagement our already robust defence alliance, a cornerstone of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region". However, the presence of foreign troops on Philippine soil is a source of heated debate. In recent weeks, the auxiliary bishop of Manila, Msgr. Broderick Pabillo intervened on the matter , noting that "Washington's support to the Philippines" worsens the conflict with China.
Interviewed a few days ago on the subject, U.S. President Barack Obama emphasized that maritime disputes should be resolved "through dialogue, not intimidation". He also added that small states should not be abused by the bigger ones, with a clear - albeit indirect - reference to China.
Further exacerbating tensions, the Philippine government filed a motion - tabled on 30 March - with the United Nations tribunal, outlining their rights and describing the so-called "Ox tongue" used by Beijing to mark their territory as "illegal" and " irrational". As part of its case, Manila has presented nearly 4,000 pages of evidence and more than 40 maps to back its claims. Filipino claims are based on the guidelines laid down by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), by which China cannot go beyond the 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and interfere in Manila's legitimate rights.In lieu of international arbitration, the Chinese government wants to settle the issue through bilateral negotiations, given its position of strength and dominance in the Asia-Pacific region.
In the East China Sea, China is equally at loggerheads with Japan over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands and with the Philippines over the Scarborough Shoal. In the South China Sea Beijing claims sovereignty over the Spratly and Paracel Islands, which are also claimed by Vietnam, Brunei, Philippines, Malaysia and Taiwan. Beijing's hegemony is strategic in nature with regards to trade and oil and natural gas seabed development, in a region crossed by two thirds of the world's maritime trade. The resource-rich islands are almost uninhabited, but are thought to hold large reserves of oil and natural gas, and other raw materials. India, Australia and the United States are also involved in the dispute to varying degrees, with cross-cutting interests and alliances in the Asia-Pacific region, one of the world's main geopolitical hotspots.