TTLV: China - Philippines relations in the period 2010 - 2019

1. Student's full name: Nguyen Thanh Trung. 2. Gender: Male.

3. Date of birth: March 25, 1983.

4. Place of birth: Tay Mo, Tu Liem, Hanoi.

5. Decision on recognition of graduate students No. 1765/2018/QD-XHNV dated June 28, 2018 of the President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

6. Changes in training process: No.

7. Thesis topic: China - Philippines relations in the period 2010 - 2019.

8. Major: International Relations; Code:8310601.01

9. Scientific advisor: Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Viet Thai, Institute for Strategic Studies, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.

10. Summary of thesis results:

The thesis has clarified the main factors affecting the China-Philippines relationship in the period 2010 - 2019, including: World and regional situation; relations between the two countries before 2010; internal situation of China and the Philippines (which are the main decisive factors), especially the adjustment of foreign policy of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte compared to the previous administration of President Benigno Aquino III. In particular, the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte has implemented an independent, autonomous foreign policy, balancing interests among major countries, making strong statements in relations with the US; improving relations and constantly strengthening cooperation with China in many fields.

The thesis has contributed to clarifying the contrasting ups and downs of the China-Philippines relationship in the period 2010 - 2019. From the tense political relationship mainly due to the East Sea issue under President Benigno Aquino III, the political relationship between the two countries has developed significantly under President Rodrigo Duterte. With the policy of getting closer to China, the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte promoted cooperation with China in many fields (politics, foreign affairs, economy, defense - security ...). In the first nearly 4 years of President Rodrigo Duterte's rule in the Philippines, although the biggest challenge was the tension between the two countries around Thitu Island, the China-Philippines relationship has developed significantly compared to the period of President Benigno Aquino III when the relationship between the two countries was upgraded to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation in November 2018.

The thesis also made some assessments of the impact of China-Philippines relations in the period of 2010-2019 on the Southeast Asian region and Vietnam, especially in resolving disputes in the East Sea and attracting increased involvement of major countries in this region; at the same time, forecasting the prospects of relations between the two countries until 2024 and making recommendations for Vietnam in its relations with China and the Philippines. The thesis predicts that China-Philippines relations until 2024 will not be able to reverse or have major fluctuations. The two countries will continue to consolidate and strengthen cooperation in all fields, but it is difficult to achieve a major breakthrough in implementing joint oil and gas exploitation cooperation in the East Sea.

11. Practical applicability: Party and State agencies, research institutes, and universities in Vietnam can refer to the content of the Thesis to have more perspectives on China - Philippines relations in the period 2010 - 2019 and some impacts on Southeast Asia and Vietnam.

12. Further research directions: Continue to delve into China-Philippines relations in the coming time and propose Vietnam's policies in relations with China and the Philippines, including resolving sovereignty disputes in the East Sea.

13. Published works related to the thesis: None.

INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS

1. Full name: Nguyen Thanh Trung 2. Sex: Male

3. Date of birth: March 25, 1983 4. Place of birth: Tu Liem, Hanoi

5. Admission decision number: 1765 Dated: June 28, 2018

6. Changes in academic process: No.

7. Official thesis title: China - Philippines relations between 2010 - 2019

8. Major: International relationship 9. Code:8310601.01

10. Supervisors: Associate Professor Ph.D Tran Viet Thai, Institute of Foreign Strategic Studies, Vietnam Diplomatic Academy.

11. Summary of the findings of the thesis:

The thesis has clarified the main factors affecting China - Philippines relations for the period of 2010 - 2019, including: World and regional situation; bilateral relations before 2010; the internal situation of China and the Philippines (which are key determinants), especially the foreign policy adjustments of the President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte compared to the previous Administration of President Benigno Aquino III. In particular, the Government of President Rodrigo Duterte has implemented an independent, autonomous foreign policy which seeks to balance interests among major countries; made tough statements in relations with the US; improved relations and constantly strengthened cooperation with China in many areas.

The thesis has contributed to clarify the controversial ups and downs of China - Philippines relations from 2010 to 2019. From the tense political relationship mainly due to the South China Sea issue under President Benigno Aquino III, political relations between the two countries have significantly developed under President Rodrigo Duterte. Adopting a closer policy toward China, President Rodrigo Duterte's government promotes cooperation with China in many fields (politics, foreign affairs, economy, defense - security...). In the first four years of President Rodrigo Duterte's rule in the Philippines, China - Philippines relations, despite the greatest challenge, was tense of the Thi Tu Island issue, marked a significant development compared to the period under the President Benigno Aquino III when bilateral relations were raised to the level of Comprehensive strategic cooperation in November 2018.

The thesis also gave some assessments on the impact of China - Philippines relations from 2010 to 2019 towards Southeast Asia and Vietnam, especially in resolving disputes in the South China Sea and attracting increased involvement of major countries in this region; at the same time forecasted the prospects of bilateral relations until 2024 and made recommendations for Vietnam in dealing with China and the Philippines. The thesis predicts that China - Philippines relations until 2024 will not be reversed and there will not be big fluctuations. The two countries are expected to consolidate and strengthen cooperation in many areas, but it is difficult to achieve a breakthrough in the implementation of joint oil and gas cooperation in the South China Sea.

12. Practical applicability: The Party, the State, the research agencies, the universities of Vietnam can refer to the content of the thesis to have another perspective on the China - Philippines relations for the period of 2010 - 2019 and impacts on Southeast Asia and Vietnam.

13. Further research directions: Continue to deepen study China - Philippines relations in the coming time and make recommenlation on Vietnam's policy in relations with China and the Philippines, including resolving sovereignty disputes in the South China Sea.

14. Thesis-related publications: No.