The president the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte has announced his country will move from the USA and work more closely China. President Duterte made the announcement China's capital Beijing. He was meeting Chinese leaders to talk future cooperation the Philippines and China. Mr Duterte also hinted he might work more closely Russia. He said: "Maybe I will also go to Russia to talk to Putin and tell him that there are three of us the world - China, the Philippines and Russia." Duterte said he would end military and economic agreements the USA. He told the USA: "Your stay my country was for your own benefit. So it is time to say goodbye, my friend."
President Duterte's announcement could change many things the Asia-Pacific region. It will mean China is stronger the area and the USA is weaker. It is possible that Duterte may ask the USA to leave its military bases the Philippines. The loss the Philippines bases would be a big problem the USA. A White House spokesman said: "If the Philippines are out…that starts to raise questions our whole approach the region." This break the US comes 65 years close partnership between the two countries. The Russian newspaper 'Russia Today' commented the changing relations the Asia-Pacific region. It wrote: "China has just turned a former rival a regional ally."
