Ending asymmetrical bond

The visit to China by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, scheduled from Tuesday to Friday, is expected to offer an opportunity to improve the strained bilateral ties.

However, some scholars in the Philippines and in the United States argue that the value of Philippines' talks and cooperation with China stem from its military alliance with the US, hinting that only through its alliance with the US does Manila gain bargaining chips in any talks with Beijing. Duterte's diplomatic move, they conclude, should not sacrifice Manila's bond with Washington.

Such an argument exposes the Cold War mindset among some in the US, and their concern over their allies' cooperation with other countries, which they think may lead to their estrangement from Washington.