As President Rodrigo Duterte announced
his "separation" from the United States and sought to strengthen ties
with China, he said he will also talk to Russia's Vladimir Putin.
"I've realigned myself in your [China] ideological flow and maybe I
will also go to Russia to talk to (President Vladimir) Putin and tell
him that there are three of us against the world - China, Philippines
and Russia. It's the only way," he said.
Duterte made his comments in China, where he is visiting with at
least 200 business people to pave the way for what he calls a new
commercial alliance as relations with longtime ally the United States
deteriorate.
Duterte's efforts to engage China, months after a tribunal ruling in
the Hague over South China Sea disputes in favor of the Philippines,
marks a reversal in foreign policy since the 71-year-old former mayor
took office on June 30.
"America has lost now," Duterte told Chinese and Philippine business
people at a forum in the Great Hall of the People, attended by Chinese
Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli.
"With that, in this venue, your honors, in this venue, I announce my
separation from the United States," Duterte said to applause. "I have
separated from them. So I will be dependent on you for all time. But do
not worry. We will also help as you help us."
