After throwing strong remarks against the U.S. over the past couple weeks, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has made yet another controversial statement that could spark further tension with his country's long-time ally.
In Beijing for a state visit, Duterte announced a "separation" between the Philippines and the U.S., possibly putting to test the two nations' historic ties.
"Your honors, in this venue, I announce my separation from the United States . . . both in military and economics also," Mr. Duterte was quoted in a report by USA Today, citing the Associated Press.
The Philippine president arrived in Beijing on Tuesday, along with more than 200 business leaders to discuss trade and economic relations.
China and the Philippines have been at odds following the landmark ruling on the South China Sea. The Philippines won the case in an international tribunal court but China maintained its stance that it will not honor the ruling.
In a seemingly fresh turn of events, however, Duterte said that the Philippines is resuming its bilateral talks with China to discuss the dispute. The U.S., which has been a long-time economic and military ally of Manila, has long expressed its support for the Philippines on its claim over the disputed territory.
Mr. Duterte's comments came on Thursday as he met Chinese president Xi Jinping.
"America, they just lost me," Mr. Duterte said in his speech. "I will be dependent on you for a long time," he said, referring to the hosts.
The bold announcement could trigger a significant shift involving the world's superpowers, said analysts.
"This is the kind of shift that was unimaginable before Duterte," Jin Canrong, associate dean at the School of International Studies at Renmin University in Beijing, told The Wall Street Journal. Canrong added that a Beijing-Manila tandem would change dynamics in the disputed sea.
Back at home, however, government officials are not jumping quick to conclusions regarding their leader's fresh pronouncements.
"This is again President Duterte's usual hyperbole. He does not mean it. The country cannot afford to completely sever ties with traditional economic and security allies like the US," representative and opposition lawmaker Edcel Lagman told local paper The Inquirer.
Meanwhile, Mr. Duterte's visit inked $13.5 billion in deals with China, including low-interest loans amounting to $9 billion.