Duterte China

President Duterte has surprisingly little to show for his much-vaunted "pivot to China."

Taking anti-China positions is easy for politicians in opposition. Things get more complicated once they take office.

The country needs to ensure that its bounty of offshore wealth benefits the people, not just a privileged elite.

Not even a strongman like Duterte can prevent China from altering the status quo, so what’s the plan?

While calls for reviewing the alliance may be understandable, both sides should carefully weigh the risks and opportunities as they assess options.

The issue has raised broader questions about the security risks of Beijing’s involvement in certain industries overseas.

Xi's visit was a feel-good exercise, spotlighting cooperation on the Belt and Road and even the South China Sea.

A closer look at the potential significance of the move.

Advances at a recent meeting are much more modest than suggested and conceal the significant challenges that remain.

The resumption of annual defense talks is just the latest advance in ties in the Duterte era.

A look at where defense ties are and where they might be headed.

Both sides have hailed the move as a step forward for their defense ties.

Immediate opportunities mask serious risks related to the past, current context, and the near future.

Reports indicate Beijing’s coercive efforts continue even as it plays up a cooling down period in the South China Sea.

The cooling down some are playing up masks underlying tensions and broader strategic realities.

Despite the obvious challenges, one should not dismiss the possibility of advances being made in the future.

Beijing’s latest assistance to Manila is notable but also needs to be kept in perspective.

Though Manila continues to flirt with the idea, details remain murky for now.

A closer look at the significance of the goodwill visit within the context of Sino-Philippine relations.

Though the Philippine president has complicated things, focusing on this episode alone obscures more enduring challenges on the South China Sea question.

A look at what is in store for the largest drills between the two allies set to kick off next month.

A closer look at what we know about this year's Balikatan exercises and what they say about the state of the alliance.

Manila is stepping up efforts to safeguard its claim.

New bilateral engagements appear to be on the horizon despite lingering challenges.