Palace says too early to discuss China’s proposal for joint military drills on US defense treaty

June 29, 2017

Malacanang played down the possible impact of Chinese Ambassdor to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua’s proposal for joint military exercises on the mutual defense treaty with the United States. Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Marie Banaag said in a briefing on Thursday relations between the Philippines and China have improved. “Well, with whatever that the relationship of China and the Philippines, it has improved during the President’s time,” Banaag said. Banaag said it is early to discuss the Chinese proposal since it has not reached the drawing board. “And we cannot comment yet on how this would effect because it’s not yet there, with --- insofar as the treaties with the United Stated is concerned,” he said. The Philippines and the United States entered into the mutual defense treaty in 1951, making the Philippines and Thailand the two US treaty allies in Southeast Asia. Beijing has provided the initial batch of about $500-million in military package to the Philippines which were turned over to the government last Wednesday at the Clark Freeport, witnessed by President Rodrigo Duterte. “And, of course, for the Philippines, the Philippines… The president had been very vocal about this, that the Philippines wanted to engage with China not only on economics and trade but also in security and defense, if and when,” Banaag said. “And, of course, we welcome whatever assistance that the Chinese government can provide,” she said. At the turnover, Zhao suggested joint military training and intelligence-gathering exercises with the Philippines in the fight against terrorism. “The Chinese side also wants to explore the possibility of joint exercises in the fighting in the area of terrorism,” said Zhao. DMS