MANILA, JANUARY 29, 2011 (TRIBUNE) By Michaela P. del Callar - A senior US State Department official yesterday said Washington does not object to the Philippines' growing ties with China but stressed that it must not neglect its long-standing relationship with the United States.
According to US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell, maintaining good relations with the two countries would not only benefit the Philippines but the entire region as well.
"We expect and want the government of the Philippines to have a close and growing relationship with China. We also want very much for the government of the Philippines to want a good relationship with the US," Campbell told a press conference.
Campbell, who is in Manila for the two-day Philippines-US bilateral strategic dialog, noted that it is the case "that almost every country in Asia seeks two strong relationships."
"A strong relationship with Beijing but a corresponding strong, deep relationship with the US. We think that's the best approach to sustaining the peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region that frankly has been a benefit for to all of us over the course of the last several years and hopefully going forward in the future," he said.
Washington and Beijing have been as at loggerheads in Asia, where they have tried to court support and expand security and economic clout.
In recent years, the Philippines' bilateral relations with China, particularly the economic aspect of its ties, are increasingly becoming dynamic and vibrant than the US.
Flourishing ties with China can be attributed to the former Bush administration's focus on anti-terrorism, which according to analysts, is far from what the Philippines needs at the moment.
With China's increasing influence in the region, the US role in the region has diminished even with traditional allies and friends.
As a gesture signalling America's return to the region, the US signed in 2009 the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, a loose code of conduct for the region signed by the original founding members of the Asean in 1976 and its main dialog partners, such as Australia, China, India, Japan and South Korea.
As further proof of its commitment to have a closer engagement with the Philippines, Washington reaffirmed its pledge to pursue an invigorated alliance with Manila "built on respect, shared values and shared responsibilities."
Among the topics discussed in the dialog were ongoing areas of bilateral cooperation, regional issues and transnational challenges.
Both countries also agreed to establish working groups to explore intensifying cooperation in four areas: rule of law and law enforcement; territorial defense and maritime security; economics and trade; and regional and global diplomatic engagement.
Campbell said the South China Sea dispute was also discussed in the meeting.
He maintained that the US has strategic interest to see that issues in the contested territories be handled in a "legal and peaceful manner" as it seeks to see a dialog between the claimants and the Asean.
"Our policy will remain consistent in this regard and were looking to see a process to continue within the key players. It's best to undertake this process within the context of the 2002 agreement reached between China and the Asean and we think that this agreement should extend to a more formal approach that will lead to greater peace and stability and confidence associated with the South China Sea. I think there is a broad recognition that this is a critical waterway and its criticality will likely increase in the time ahead," he said.
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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