Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte speaks to soldiers at the military's Scout Ranger Camp Tecson in San Miguel, Bulacan, in northern Philippines on Sept 15, 2016. (Reuters photo)MANILA - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Monday he will seek closer ties with China and Russia as his government approaches a "point of no return" in its increasingly strained relationship with the United States. Pledging to open up the Southeast Asian country to those on the other side of the "ideological barrier," Mr Duterte said he will forge commerce and trade alliances with China and Russia and promised to open up every industry sector in the Philippines to the two countries. "China, Russia, come! Mr Duterte's pronouncement comes as relations between the United States and Philippines are being put to the test by his continuing tirades against his country's long-time treaty ally.

Source: Bangkok Post September 26, 2016 13:52 UTC