ARTICLES

21 Oct 2025

Scarborough Shoal Standoff: More Deterrence, Less Trust

Zhihua Zheng|Jiawei Wang

The dispute over Scarborough Shoal reflects a fragile balance sustained by deterrence and symbolism rather than trust.

19 Aug 2025

Scarborough Shoal Incident Might Raise Tensions

Ian Storey|Aries A. Arugay

A recent incident between the Philippine Coast Guard and China’s maritime forces could presage a change in tactics by the latter. If this is so, tensions in the disputed area might head north.

China China-Philippine Relations Philippine South China Sea

11 Jul 2025

The 2016 South China Sea Ruling at Nine: Where Does ASEAN Stand?

Pham Ngoc Minh Trang

Nine years after an international arbitral tribunal ruled in the Philippines’ favour against China on the two parties’ disputed claims in the South China Sea, there are some glimmers of a more coherent – but still imperfect and incomplete – ASEAN position on the hotspot issue.

ASEAN China China-Philippine Relations Philippine South China Sea

13 Jun 2025

When Espionage Allegations Fuel Sinophobia

Teresita Ang See|Siti Suhaila Bte Mohd Harith

The Philippines has seen a rise in the number of espionage allegations against entities and individuals linked to China. Given the gravity of the issue, the authorities need to clarify and disprove such claims to prevent a downward spiral.

China-Philippine Relations Philippine Philippine Politics

25 Feb 2025

Artificial Intelligence is Intensifying South China Sea Disputes in the Philippines

Nuurrianti Jalli|Angel Martinez

AI-generated propaganda is being used to distort reality and disinform the public, even gathering support for military escalation in already troubled waters.

Artificial Intelligence China-Philippine Relations Philippine Philippine Politics Social Media South China Sea

25 Dec 2024

2024 Top 10

The Philippines and West Philippine Sea: Bringing Deterrence Into the Picture

Maria Gabriela Alano|Deryk Baladjay

The Philippines needs to start investing in a credible deterrence strategy if it wants to secure its interests in the West Philippine Sea.

2024 Top 10 China China-Philippine Relations Philippines South China Sea

15 Aug 2024

The Philippines and West Philippine Sea: Bringing Deterrence Into the Picture

Maria Gabriela Alano|Deryk Baladjay

The Philippines needs to start investing in a credible deterrence strategy if it wants to secure its interests in the West Philippine Sea.

China China-Philippine Relations Philippines South China Sea

19 Jul 2024

China-Philippines Talks: A Sliver of Hope to Reduce Tensions?

Lye Liang Fook

Although China and the Philippines have resumed bilateral talks, they are far from addressing their differences over the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea.

China China-Philippine Relations International Relations Philippine South China Sea

17 Jul 2024

Philippine-China Standoff Over Second Thomas Shoal: There Are Three Others

Marites Dañguilan Vitug|Camille Elemia

The Second Thomas Shoal is the centre of attention in the standoff between China and the Philippines. But there are three other features in the South China Sea that warrant examination.

China-Philippine Relations International Relations Philippine South China Sea

6 May 2024

Something Old, Something New: The Philippines’ Transparency Initiative in the South China Sea

Edcel John A. Ibarra|Aries A. Arugay

The Marcos Jr administration's measured transparency approach to Chinese grey zone activities in the South China Sea carries with it risks and challenges. It is not sufficient to protect and promote Philippines interests in the SCS. It needs to develop and articulate a clear maritime strategy for the security sector and the civilian bureaucracy.

China-Philippine Relations Philippine South China Sea