A cultural exchange event in Parañaque on November 26 celebrating historical ties between China’s Dezhou City and the Sulu Sultanate appears on the surface to be harmless heritage diplomacy. Around 500 guests attended, including Filipino-Chinese leaders and diplomats, praising the "21-generation friendship" between China and Sulu.
Yet the focus on the Sulu Sultanate, rather than the modern Philippines, has made analysts uneasy. The centuries-old Sulu ties no longer hold political relevance, making Beijing’s emphasis unusual, especially as China acts aggressively against Manila in the West Philippine Sea. Analysts warn the China could be trying to stir internal divisions in the Philippines and put a wedge between Manila and Kuala Lumpur, which is dealing with a controversial legal dispute with a group of self-proclaimed Sulu heirs.
In the current geopolitical climate, it's hard not to wonder if China’s sudden promotion of Sulu heritage is part
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