Duterte aims to bolster ties during first visit to Vietnam

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte arrived in Hanoi today for his first official visit to Vietnam, as relations between the two countries strengthen amid regional tensions over the South China Sea

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte began an official trip to Vietnam today, his first visit to the Communist state since taking office in June.
During a pre-departure meeting Monday at Malacañang Palace, the official residence of the president of the Philippines, foreign affairs spokesperson Charles Jose said the president was scheduled to meet with his Vietnamese counterpart, Tran Dai Quang, and other high-level leaders including Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
Jose said the two countries were expected to discuss defence, trade and investment.
In a speech at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City, Duterte spoke to 40 years of formal diplomatic relationships between the Philippines and Vietnam.
“On this introductory visit to Hanoi, I look forward to renewing our ties of friendship between the Philippines and Vietnam and [to] reaffirm the commitment to work closer to achieve shared goals for our countries and peoples,” Sun Star Manila reported Duterte as saying.
After arriving in Hanoi, Duterte was expected to begin his visit by meeting with members of the 3,800-strong Philippine community in the country.
His two-day visit will include an official welcome at Vietnam’s Presidential Palace and wreath-laying ceremonies at the Monument of the National Heroes and Martyrs and at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, all in Hanoi.
Developments in the South China Sea will likely be a major talking point between the two countries, according to Professor Ramon Beleno III, chair of the political science and history department at Ateneo de Davao University.
“With the recent decision of the tribunal on the [South China Sea], the Philippines needs more support from its partner states, especially Asean members,” said Beleno, referring to an international court ruling in favour of the Philippines in its dispute with China over maritime territory in the South China Sea.
“Since there is no governing body that will implement the decision of the tribunal, the Philippines depends on the pressure of other countries and non-state actors to push China in recognising the decision.”
Aries Arugay, an associate professor of political science at the University of the Philippines Diliman, said Duterte’s leadership style – considered by many to be brash and heavy-handed – would likely be well received in Vietnam.
“[I] think the Vietnamese should be familiar with Duterte’s leadership style,” he said. “It has yet to embrace multiparty democracy and still is controlled by one party.”
Arugay added that the Philippines could serve as a particularly tenacious ally in the face of regional security threats. Vietnam is also in dispute with China over maritime boundaries in the South China Sea.
“Duterte won the presidency because he sincerely wants to protect the weak and the powerless,” he said. “Vietnam and the Philippines are small powers located in a region where big bullies play and there are so many common interests to pursue.”