US President Barack Obama has taken the last leg of his East Asian tour to the Philippines before returning home. Obama started his Asian trip to Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and now the Philippines. Despite his insistence that his state visit to the four countries has nothing to do with the issues involving China, which he did not go to, Beijing was angered citing Obama’s trip to East Asia for tightening US security measures on the region was seen to be an interference.
Obama’s theme on his entire trip reiterated that his visit to the four countries is not about China. However, the issue on territorial disputes concerning Beijing has been looming when he first stopped Japan, South Korea and China. On his last stop to the Philippines, China was in front and the center of the talks.
On Monday night, the US and the Philippines has inked a 10 year agreement that will allow US aircrafts, troops and warships more access to the country. The US said that it would not reinstate a base in the Philippines but will have its troops rotate in the country. The Enhanced Defense Cooperation had been in negotiation for eight months and the realization of the deal would give Obama’s government “central control” in Asia.
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