Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has continued his anti-US sentiments, ordering his defense officials to end joint military exercises with US troops as he takes the initial steps to form a new partnership with China by embarking on an official state visit to Beijing this month.

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As Duterte prepares to strengthen ties with China during his trip, he has taken his anti-US sentiments up a notch by instructing Philippine defense chief to halt joint exercises with the US military next year.

Analysts said that the decision to end joint patrols with the US is tantamount to weakening Manila's military alliance with Washington.

Realign

"I insist that we realign, that there will be no more exercises next year. Do not prepare for the exercises," Duterte told Philippine defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

He clarified, however, that he was not rescinding the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the US. Under the treaty, the US is obligated to defend the Philippines in case of an armed attack by an external party.

President Duterte emphasized that he will craft Manila's new foreign policy, which will not be based on his predecessor's foreign policies that are dependent on the US.

US forces

Earlier this year, Duterte ordered all US forces to leave the southern part of the Philippines. He has also withdrawn all Philippine military forces from joint patrols with the US in the disputed South China Sea saying "China does not want it."

Meanwhile, China confirmed on Wednesday that the Philippine leader would visit the country from October 18 to 21.

China's foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang on Wednesday said Beijing is looking forward to the visit and impending talks with Manila that will focus on a wide range of common interests.

President Xi Jinping

Geng said Duterte would hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang on how to improve ties, trade agreements, and regional issues. He noted that Beijing is looking forward to having a "deep exchange of views."

"China looks forward to increasing mutual trust between the two countries, deepening practical cooperation and continuing the tradition of friendship via the visit of President Duterte," Geng said at a press briefing.

More than 200 Filipino businessmen would accompany the president on his China visit hoping to deals with Chinese companies.

Bonanza

Economists have said that the Philippines stands to receive a bonanza of loans and investments during Duterte's trip with Filipino businessmen reportedly feeling "excited" to do business with Beijing.

President Duterte and President Xi would jointly address more than 600 businessmen and CEOs from both countries on the second day of his visit.

Duterte has stated that he would not raise the dispute over the sovereignty of the Scarborough Shoal during the talks but would instead ask the Chinese government to give Filipino fishermen access to the area.

The Scarborough Shoal was at the center of a case filed by Manila against Beijing in 2013 after the latter seized control of the shoal following a standoff with the Philippine Navy in 2012.

PCA

The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruled in July that China had no legal basis to make territorial claims in the South China Sea. The court also ruled that no country has legal claims over the shoal which is the traditional fishing ground of Chinese, Vietnamese, and Filipino fishermen.

China has rejected the ruling, describing it as "illegal" and "null and void."

Duterte said that he would not insist on the implementation of the ruling during his talk with President Xi Jinping but will instead push for China to give access to Filipino fishermen to areas near the shoal.

TagsUS-Philippine alliance, Mutual Defense Treaty, China visit, President Rodrigo Duterte, Chinese President Xi jinping, US-Philippine military exercises, Scarborough Shoal, economic cooperation, Philippines, china