ARTICLES

3 May 2023

Why China Should Learn To Live With U.S.-Philippine EDCA

Julio S. Amador III|Deryk Baladjay

The Chinese view that the Philippines’ and the United States’ Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites are offensive in nature is false. The Philippines and China should take a wider perspective and work on the totality of their bilateral relationship.

China-Philippine Relations Philippine-U.S. Relations

19 Apr 2023

Why China is Vexed About the U.S.-Philippine EDCA

Ma Bo

China takes a dim view of Manila’s decision to grant the United States access to four military bases. While the two allies have framed the arrangement as bolstering deterrence vis-à-vis China, such a move is unlikely to deter Beijing.

17 Apr 2023

From Duterte’s “Pivot to China” to Marcos Jr.’s “Rebalance to the U.S.”?

Aaron Jed Rabena

Marcos Jr. appears to be setting the Philippines in a different direction where foreign policy is concerned but, like his predecessors, faces the challenge of navigating Sino-U.S. rivalry alongside Sino-Philippine maritime tensions in the South China Sea.

China-Philippine Relations Philippine Philippine-U.S. Relations

17 Jan 2023

Bound to Comply: the Philippines’ One-China Policy and Mutual Defense Treaty with the U.S.

Aaron Jed Rabena

In the event of hostilities in the Taiwan Strait, Manila’s defense treaty with the United States will give it little room to manoeuvre.

China-Philippine Relations Philippine Philippine-U.S. Relations Taiwan

9 Dec 2022

Digital Disinformation and Anti-Chinese Resentment in the Philippines

Jason Vincent A. Cabañes|Fernando A. Santiago, Jr.

In the Philippines, digital disinformation campaigns have become central to electoral politics. Unfortunately, their use of vitriolic and socially divisive techniques has become increasingly normalised in the country’s politics, as these techniques are put into play even between national voting seasons.

China-Philippine Relations Online Misinformation Philippine Politics

12 Jul 2022

The China Factor and “Bongbong” Marcos’s Foreign Policy

Aaron Jed Rabena

While it is too early for his foreign policy platform to fully emerge, the Philippines' new president will have his hands full in calibrating Manila’s relationships with Washington and Beijing. It is not a foregone conclusion that he will lean strongly in either direction.

China-Philippine Relations Philippine Philippine Politics

25 Mar 2022

The Belt and Road Initiative and the Philippines’ Post-Duterte China Challenge

Aaron Jed Rabena

Even under China-friendly President Duterte, Chinese BRI projects in the Philippines still encountered strong political opposition and faced several challenges in their roll-out. Nevertheless, taking a broader view of the BRI shows that it has made some progress and jives with the development needs of the Philippines.

Belt and Road Initiative China-Philippine Relations Philippine Philippine Politics

19 Jan 2022

Presidential Polls and the West Philippine Sea: A Sea Change?

Jay L. Batongbacal

The winner of the 2022 presidential elections will determine how the Philippines will handle its legally recognised claims in the West Philippine Sea both domestically and in the regional arena.

China-Philippine Relations Maritime Security Philippine Philippine Elections Philippine Politics

25 Nov 2021

China and Second Thomas Shoal: For They Say, But Do Not

Ian Storey

China’s expressed desire to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea rings hollow when one examines its recent actions around Second Thomas Shoal.

China-Philippine Relations South China Sea

16 Nov 2021

The Future of Duterte’s Pivot to China: A Non-Defeatist Approach

Enrico V. Gloria

Duterte’s China pivot is at a crossroads. The upcoming May polls will give the leading presidential candidates some room to rethink the country’s China policy.

China-Philippine Relations Philippine Philippine Politics