Paradox of corny

Over an insurmountable issue, adversaries go to war while friends look for a solution together: that in gist was what President Rody Duterte proved in his latest meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The President confounded his critics, as on the first day of his five-day official tour of China, which Daily Tribune earlier termed as the unique hoops diplomacy of the administration, since Rody took advantage of the 2019 FIBA World Cup basketball fever, to raise the critical West Philippine Sea issue with Xi, as an agreement was evidently reached.

Xi expectedly rejected Rody’s reminder on the arbitral award that invalidated China’s nine-dash line claim over practically the entire South China Sea, but in the process, the country is expected to receive huge benefits while a middle ground is being worked at.

Since Rody has three more years in the presidency, a solution now is possible since there is a realization from China that the issue needed to be resolved before Rody steps down.

China’s main worry is that Rody’s successor may assume the same character as that of the staunchly pro-American Noynoy Aquino who had almost led both countries to a road of no return.

Rody who professes that he is not a statesman and has no intention of becoming one since Filipinos did not vote him to that position actually did the best diplomatic maneuver on Xi as he insisted on the need to recognize the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration without ruffling feathers.

The arbitration ruling was raised and the result was predictable since China never recognized Noynoy’s move for a third-party resolution of the problem, but then both leaders decided to move on to find a better solution.

Both leaders agreed that maintaining their positions “need not derail nor diminish the amity between the two countries.”

“They shared the view that the contentious issue is not the sum total of the Philippines-Chinese bilateral relationship,” Rody’s spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

In exchange, Xi said China will provide the push to have a binding Code of Conduct (CoC) on the disputed territories in place before Rody steps down.

Earlier, in an oblique warning to China about the lack of clear rules, Rody invited the United States to send its warships and said he will stand on their bow with the critics who have been pestering him to confront China on the arbitral decision.

Xi had realized that unless the issue is resolved under Rody, a weaker leader after him will surely succumb to pressures from the United States and the situation will return to square one.

The path taken by both leaders apparently is to start pursuing cooperation instead of confrontation on the contested areas. A 60-40 agreement on oil exploration for instance is being firmed up and would likely be fleshed out before Rody ends his tour.

Also a first was a recognition of China of its responsibility in the Recto Bank collision for which Xi committed compensation to the Filipino fishermen affected by the incident.

The ongoing visit is expected to be the most successful yet for Rody as he would have resolved most of the thorny issues between the Philippine and China. Both countries have been sending unspoken messages on the maritime issue, made complicated by the frequent entry of foreign forces in the guise of international passage. The best shot at an enduring solution to the sticky problems confronting both nations appears to be under the current term when relations have climbed to its best level.

Both leaders are aware of the pivotal role they play in ensuring lasting peace in the region.

Rody says he will be satisfied to be referred to as mayor instead of the lofty posts in government which he finds “corny.”

The irony is when he swings the CoC and the cooperation agreement with China, he will likely be best remembered for his presidential skills and statesmanship.