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China Yet to Deliver Promised Billions Despite Duterte’s Pivot

The president says he has a “win-win” relationship with Beijing but his critics aren’t so sure.

The Philippine Coast Guard beside ships said to be Chinese militia vessels at Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea on April 27. — The Philippine Coast Guard beside ships said to be Chinese militia vessels at Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea on April 27.
Source: Philippine Coast Guard/AP Photo

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July 4, 2021, 9:00 PM UTCUpdated onJuly 5, 2021, 9:12 AM UTC

Near the center of Manila, construction workers are now rushing to complete a $69-million China-funded bridge by the end of this year after repeatedly missing deadlines.

The Binondo-Intramuros Bridge is set to be among the first to be completed out of the 14 China-funded infrastructure projects in the pipeline. Back in 2016, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte traveled to Beijing and dramatically embraced China. “I announce my separation from the U.S.,” Duterte said at the time to a packed room of business leaders in Beijing after meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping.