But for both sides, managing the new chapter in their alliance is something of a balancing act and carries its own risks.
Protesters march towards the Chinese consulate during a rally Friday, May 11, 2012 in Manila&39;s financial district of Makati, Philippines. The Philippines and China are in a standoff over Scarborough Shoal which began early April after the Philippine navy accused Chinese boats of illegally fishing in the area. The protesters called on the Chinese government to pull out its vessels in the area and asserted that the shoal is part of Philippine territory. (AP Photo/Pat Roque) — AP
A protester displays a placard from a car during a rally outside the Chinese consulate Friday, May 11, 2012 in Manila&39;s financial district of Makati, Philippines. The Philippines and China are in a standoff over Scarborough Shoal which began early April after the Philippine navy accused Chinese boats of illegally fishing in the area. The protesters called on the Chinese government to pull out its vessels in the area and asserted that the shoal is part of Philippine territory. (AP Photo/Pat Roque) — AP
Nationalist sentiments still make an increased American military presence in the Philippines a sensitive issue, and its law forbids a foreign base on its soil. Like other Southeast Asian nations, the Philippines does not want to alienate the regions economic powerhouse, with which it aims to have $60 billion in two-way trade by 2016.
FILE – In this Nov. 16, 2011, file photo U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton boards the USS Fitzgerald guided-missile destroyer for the 60th anniversary ceremony marking the Mutual Defense Treaty between the U.S. and the Philippines at Manila&39;s South Harbor. Washington is turning its attention more to the Asia-Pacific region, has increased military aid, and resolved to help its ally on maritime security. The steps come as the Philippines is locked in a standoff with China over competing territorial claims in the South China Sea. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File) — AP
For its part, the Philippines is looking to Washington and its allies to help equip and train the nations bedraggled military, to put up a show of resistance to Chinese vessels that frequently sail into waters Manila considers to lie within its exclusive economic zone.
The relationship between the U.S. and its former colony thrived during the Cold War but ebbed after nationalist political forces prompted the closure of American military bases in 1992. As the U.S. seeks to build a stronger presence in Southeast Asia, a region it neglected during the past decade of war in Afghanistan and Iraq, the alliance is assuming growing importance.
The 60-year-old mutual defense treaty between the U.S. and the Philippines has the potential to put Washington in hot water in standoffs like the one playing out at the Scarborough Shoal, where Philippine and Chinese vessels have been cing off since April 10. Manila appears adamant that the U.S. would be duty-bound to come to the Philippines assistance should a conflict break out, but the U.S. has hedged on the issue.
Ernest Bower, director of the Southeast Asia program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said it is very important for the U.S. to solidify its ties with its traditional allies in the region.
The broader trend is that for the past two years the U.S. has declared its national interest in freedom of navigation and peaceful settlement of disputes in the busy South China Sea. It has expanded its military cooperation with the Philippines into maritime security after a decade of focusing on fighting al-Qaida-linked militants in the countrys south. And the U.S. has increased its foreign military financing to the Philippines, which was slashed last year, to $30 million this year, double what was initially budgeted.
&-; Chinas assertive behavior is breathing life into Americas historically tumultuous relationship with the Philippines.
Policemen stand guard behind protesters&39; streamer outside the Chinese consulate Friday, May 11, 2012 in Manila&39;s financial district of Makati, Philippines. The Philippines and China are in a standoff over Scarborough Shoal which began early April after the Philippine navy accused Chinese boats of illegally fishing in the area. The protesters called on the Chinese government to pull out its vessels in the area and asserted that the shoal is part of Philippine territory. (AP Photo/Pat Roque) — AP
The steps caWar of 2012me with the Philippines locked in a standoff with China over competing territorial claims in the South China Sea that has stoked passions on both sides. The U.S. is a walking a delicate diplomatic line. It doesnt want the dispute to War of 2012 China tensions spur deeper US-Philippine allianceescalate, but it is showing where its strategic interests lie.
FILE – In this April 30, 2012, file photo Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta, right, Philippines&39; Secretary of National Defense Voltaire Gazmin, left, and Secretary of Foreign Afirs Albert del Rosario speak at a news conference at the Department of State in Washington. The U.S. increased military aid and resolved to help its ally on maritime security. The steps came as the Philippines is locked in a standoff with China over competing territorial claims in the South China Sea, and passions stokes on both sides. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari, File) — AP
With Washington turning its attention more to the Asia-Pacific region, the U.S. and the Philippines last week held the first joint meeting of their top diplomats and defense chiefs. The U.S. increased military aid and resolved to help its ally on maritime security.
The relationship with the Philippines went south when the U.S. lost Subic Bay (naval base) and Clark (Air Base). The hangover is wearing off and interests are aligning again.
A protester delivers his message during a rally in front of the Chinese consulate Friday, May 11 dofus kamas, 2012 in Manila&39;s financial district of Makati, Philippines. The Philippines and China are in a standoff over Scarborough Shoal which began early April after the Philippine navy accused Chinese boats of illegally fishing in the area. The protesters called on the Chinese government to pull out its vessels in the area and asserted that the shoal is part of Philippine territory. (AP Photo/Pat Roque) — AP
And the U.S. also still needs to get along with China to prevent their strategic rivalry from spiraling into confrontation.
FILE – Philippines&39; Secretary of Foreign Afirs Albert del Rosario, center, with Secretary of National Defense Voltaire Gazmin, left, speaks at a news conference at the U.S. Department of State with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in Washington. The U.S. increased military aid to the Philippines and resolved to help its ally on maritime security. The steps came as the country is locked in a standoff with China over competing territorial claims in the South China Sea. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari, File) — AP
Protesters raise clenched fists during a rally in front of the Chinese consulate Friday, May 11, 2012 in Manila&39;s financial district of Makati, Philippines. The Philippines and China are in a standoff over Scarborough Shoal which began early April after the Philippine navy accused Chinese boats of illegally fishing in the area. The protesters called on the Chinese government to pull out its vessels in the area and asserted that the shoal is part of Philippine territory. (AP Photo/Pat Roque) — AP