| Publication |
2007.
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| Summary/Abstract |
This article examines how China's soft-power diplomacy has dramatically
improved Philippine-China relations, a scenario unthinkable ten years ago. Since
2005, the two countries have significantly increased bilateral trade and investment
relations as well as conducted close and intense security cooperation. Such
developments in bilateral relations have been initiated by China to serve its changing
strategic interests in Southeast Asia. Arguably, the general improvement in
Philippine-China bilateral relations is part and parcel of China's efforts to shape
Southeast Asia's view of its emergence and to apply soft power to erode American
strategic preponderance and influence in the region. However, despite its growing
economic and political ties with Beijing, Manila has not totally succumbed to China's
soft-power diplomacy. Instead of jumping on the Chinese bandwagon, the
Philippines continues to foster closer political/security ties with the United States and
Japan to balance China's growing political and economic clout in Southeast Asia
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