ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the various issues pertaining to Philippines-US-China relations. The changing dynamics in the relations can better be understood by examining Philippines-China then and Philippines-US relations separately, in terms of how Filipinos construct the historical narratives of Philippines-US-China relations. Filipino perceptions of the US and China, particularly their intentions with regard to the region and the Philippines, are not only diverse but also are evolving. The chapter provides comparison of Philippines-China trade with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Japan and the US. The Obama government's strategic pivot or rebalancing towards the Asia-Pacific gives fresh impetus to the alliance, as the US-China began to consider new ways of cooperating, particularly emphasizing maritime domain awareness and assisting the development of a credible defence posture for the Philippines. The problem for the Philippines was uncertainty as to whether the United States would commit its support and abide by alliance obligations in the event of a direct threat to Manila's security.
