Melbourne, Australia
March 4, 2024
“The Philippines of course understands that widening geopolitical polarities around the world and the sharpening strategic competition between the People’s Republic of China and the United States of America have become a reality permeating the regional strategic environment,” stated President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. when he made clear the Philippines’ views on so-called great power rivalries during his major address to some of the brightest strategic minds in Australia — the Lowy Institute.
The President acknowledged the importance of China and the United States to the security situation and economic evolution of the region and the world, and thus, nations must deal with both of them constructively. He explained that the Philippines is the oldest treaty ally of the U.S. in Asia. This alliance has been a pillar of regional stability for decades and must continue to be a force for good in the coming years.
At the same time, centuries of friendship and kinship bind the Filipino and Chinese peoples. He further discussed that the country pursues a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation with China founded on mutual respect and mutual benefit. Nonetheless, in the context of issues surrounding the South China Sea and the peaceful management of disputes, the Philippines will continue to engage China bilaterally and through ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)-led mechanisms to address the differences at sea.
“We, in the Indo-Pacific, must ensure that great powers do not treat the world as an arena for their competition. The pursuit of the great powers’ respective strategic goals must never come at the expense of the interests of smaller states, nor of regional and international peace,” he further stated.
Other than geopolitical polarities and sharpening strategic competitions, nations are also confronted with uncertainties posed by transformative technologies, the threat of climate change, unresolved inequalities within and among nations, among others. To this end, President Marcos Jr. stressed that the only ballast stabilizing nations’ common vessel is the rules-based international order.
The Chief Executive took the opportunity to touch on the Philippines-Australia relations, saying that the country welcomes the growing interest in Australia to explore and pursue investment opportunities. The Philippines’ economy is projected to lead ASEAN’s growth this year, having managed to outpace major Asian economies with a solid growth rate of 5.6 percent last year.
The Philippines is also committed to work together to further develop capacities in critical infrastructure security, particularly in transport and telecommunications. It is likewise set to broaden cooperation on mineral resources development, energy transition, and space science and technology applications.
In addition, the Philippines, as one of the countries most vulnerable to the climate crisis, will continue to pursue just and equitable climate action in all of its multilateral engagements, and its climate action strategy.
“Buoyed by one of the fastest growing economies in the region, the Philippines pledges to continue acting responsibly in line with our increasing potential as we inevitably rise in global standing,” he added.
“Together with our friends, especially our allies and Strategic Partners, we will face the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead confident in our ability to create a safe, stable, and secure future that celebrates diversity, mutual respect, and collective progress,” the President ended in his address.
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