China's diplomatic faux pas pushes Manila back into U.S. arms

Beijing has only itself to blame if it loses out to Washington strategically

20230326 Marcos speech

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers a speech at the 126th founding anniversary of the Philippine Army at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig, Philippines on March 22.  © AP

TORU TAKAHASHI, Nikkei senior staff writer

TOKYO -- Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made his first visit to Japan as the Philippines' president in early February, accompanied by around 240 businesspeople. During his five-day stay through Feb. 12 -- unusually long for a national leader -- he managed to secure $13 billion in commitments for investment and financial assistance from the Japanese public and private sectors.

At a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, the two leaders agreed to simplify procedures to send the Japan Self-Defense Force (SDF) to the Philippines, as needed, for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

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