Philippines watching 2024 US presidential race closely, seeks to strengthen ties, as China relations sour, envoy says

Beijing regards the island as a breakaway province to be brought under mainland control – by force, if necessary. Many countries, including the US, do not officially recognise Taiwan as an independent state but oppose the use of force to change the status quo.

“The only challenge that we face, especially for us in the embassy in Washington, DC, is what happens in November. It’s a concern for every country who would be the next president … everybody is preparing for that,” Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez told Reuters in a video interview.

“Any change is always something that we welcome,” Romualdez added.

“It gives us an opportunity to renew what we’ve already been saying, that our relationship with the United States is an important one, we value it, and we really hope that this is the same feeling that they have for us.”

Military exercises have taken place regularly for decades, but manoeuvres have extended lately to include joint air and sea patrols over the South China Sea and close to Taiwan, actions mainland China has seen as provocations and “stirring up trouble”.

Beijing’s ties with Manila have soured amid repeated spats over disputed features in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, during which China’s coastguard has used water cannon to drive away Philippine vessels, disrupting fishing and resupply missions to troops in what Beijing sees as its territory.

The Philippines’ western allies and “like-minded” partners see China’s “aggressive behaviour as totally unacceptable,” said Romualdez, a cousin of the Philippine president.

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Philippines accuses China of using water cannons to obstruct its vessels in South China Sea

He said it would not waiver in its is commitment to defend its sovereignty and sovereign rights