Thursday, August 2, 2012

INTERVIEW ON RAPPLER


CHINA SEES PH. AS U.S. 'PROXY' says expert


BY CARLOS SANTAMARIA
Posted on 07/29/2012 2:15 PM  | Updated 08/01/2012 9:35 AM
MANILA, Philippines - In the dispute over Scarborough Shoal, China is "overreacting" because Beijing still sees the Philippines as a US proxy, a foreign policy expert told Rappler.
"The Philippines, in the overall scheme of things, is not important enough for China to worry about. China is overreacting to everything because they see us as a US ally," said Aileen Baviera, professor of Asian Studies at the University of the Philippines.
"We have a problem with China, but China's problem is with the United States," Baviera added. " Whatever we say, China looks at us as a US proxy."
US defense assistance but no more troops
So, what should the Philippines do to manage this relationship?