Unrequited Love: Duterte’s China Embrace

Unrequited Love: Duterte’s China Embrace is the story of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s pivot to China—the factors that influenced him, the results of the policy shift on the West Philippine Sea, the rule of law, Chinese loans, grants, and pledges for infrastructure and other projects, attempts to influence the military, the political parties, Philippine media, and the public and how various institutions responded. Drawn on archival research and field interviews, the story begins with the roots of Duterte’s affection for China and leads to the maritime features that are the major sources of tension between Manila and Beijing and the pushback by key government institutions.

Published in 2024.