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As the Marcos administration diversifies its relationships and distances itself from Beijing, it is likely that future Chinese investments will mirror dynamics observed previously under the late former president Benigno Aquino III, according to a United States research group.

- PIA LEE-BRAGO

AidData, an independent US research institution, presented the findings of their research that analyzed China’s engagement and development of finance projects in the Philippines.

“What is significant about looking at China’s investments in the Philippines is, it’s highly responsive to bilateral relationships between Manila and Beijing and you see a lot of difference in how China has engaged with the Philippines depending on who is in power,” Samantha Custer, AidData director for policy analysis, said at a media briefing in the US embassy in Manila.

AidData noted that under President Marcos, there has been a shift in regional alliances, with the Philippines assuming a more assertive stance toward China amid heightened tensions over Beijing’s maritime claims and increasing engagement with neighboring Australia and Japan.