Biden likely to continue Trump’s tough South China Sea policy, says Philippine envoy

The United States under a Biden administration is likely to continue President Donald Trump’s tough policy on the South China Sea disputes and support the Philippines’ arbitral tribunal victory against China’s massive unlawful claim over the resource-rich waters, Manila’s top diplomat to Washington said Thursday.

Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez said Biden’s close advisers suggested a continuity of the US policy, which recognizes the Netherlands-based Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling in 2016 that invalidated China’s claim and declared that any Chinese assertion over the waters has no basis under the international law.

“In my conversations with some of foreign policy advisers of the President-elect Biden, they indicated that they will most likely continue the current policy regarding China and the South China Sea and the importance of the 2016 PCA decision in maintaining peace and balance in the region,” said Romualdez in his keynote speech at the Rotary Club Manila’s virtual meeting.

Signaling a dramatic foreign policy shift on the maritime claims in the South China Sea, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in July declared that Washington will not allow China to rule and control the waters as it expressed support for smaller claimants.

The hawkish stance on China, Romualdez said, received bipartisan support from both Republicans and Democrats in the US congress.

Romualdez said the assurances he received from Biden’s advisers is very important to the Philippines as he recalled that former President Barack Obama was not really keen on supporting the Philippine arbitration case.

“In fact, the US policy the was not to get involved in territorial disputes,” Romualdez said.

Although not a party to the disputes, the US maintained that keeping the South China Sea – a major trade route - open and accessible is within its national interest.

From 2016 to 2019, the Trump administration has provided its long-time ally, the Philippines, over $550 million in military assistance – the biggest ever it received in the past 10 years alone, Romualdez said.

“President Trump has made it clear that he wants allies to be able to defend themselves which is actually what is aligned to our own goal of achieving a credible minimum defense posture and not be dependent on other nations for our defense,” he said.

Romualdez lamented a recent bill filed by a democratic representative which seeks to suspend military and police aid to the Philippines on the issue of human rights may derail future assistance from Washington.

“That is something that could also come into play under the administration of Biden. For sure, the usual suspects would take advantage of the situation and try to put a wedge between President Duterte and President-elect Biden,” he said.

Duterte has publicly berated Obama over the latter’s critical stance on his deadly war on drugs. Early in is presidency, Duterte told Obama in a speech to “go to hell” and used an expletive against the American leader.

Biden, a pro-human rights advocate who has expressed strong position against authoritarianism, was Obama’s Vice President from 2008to 2016.

“We are not saying that there are no human rights violations but people must also recognize that something in fact is being done, that there is filing of case against members of the police force who are themselves involved in the illegal drugs trade,” he said.

“As friends and allies we can discuss this issue and the US can even advise us. But at the end of the day they also have to respect our sovereignty and recognize that we are an independent nation.”

Romualdez said he hopes the incoming US administration would not allow certain groups “that have their own political agenda” to undermine its relationship with the Philippines.

“There are so many things that we need to focus on to keep the alliance solid and stable and pursue a relationship that will be mutually beneficial for both countries,” Romualdez said.—LDF, GMA News