China is actively boosting its positions in the Asia-Pacific region and South-East Asia, an analyst said.
Earlier this week, Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte made an insulting remark about American leader Barack Obama. Shortly after, Beijing announced it would foster and develop ties with Philippines as an important ally.
Earlier this week, Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte made an insulting remark about American leader Barack Obama. Shortly after, Beijing announced it would foster and develop ties with Philippines as an important ally.
China demonstrated that it will boost its positions in the region and strengthen ties with allies, said Alexei Maslov, head of the School for Eastern Studies at the Higher School of Economics.
"Beijing used the fact that Obama will soon leave office. China showed to the United States that it will prevent an American presence in their zone of interest," he told the Russian analytical website Svobodnaya Pressa.
The expert said it was "symbolic" that China pledged economic support for the Philippines right after Duterte’s words about Barack Obama.
Therefore, Beijing demonstrated that those who are not with the US will be with China and will receive political and economic support, Maslov said.
At the same time, Barack Obama recently said that the US will continue its presence in the East China and South China seas.
"America's treaty allies must know, our commitment to your defense is a solemn obligation that will never waiver. And across the region, including in the East and South China seas, United States will continue to fly and sail and operate wherever international law allows and support the right of all countries to do the same," Obama said during his visit to Laos.
This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.