Philippine President Duterte hopes to open alliances with Russia and China
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he will visit Russia and China this year to create “open alliances” with the two countries in pursuit of an independent foreign policy, Reuters reported.
"I am ready to not really break ties [with the US] but we will open alliances with China and... Medvedev, he is awaiting there for my visit," Duterte said.
The President of the Philippines added that he would like to open up the "other side of the ideological barrier".
Duterte also noted that the Philippines was at the "point of no return" in its relations with the United States.
Rodrigo Duterte has come under criticism from the US for human rights abuses that have occurred in the Philippines since he took office in June. In particular, Duterte is criticized for his anti-narcotics campaign, through which an average of 40 people have been killed per day in his first three months in office.