ARTICLES

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.

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

25 Apr 2024

The China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea: Has it Worked for China?

Lye Liang Fook

The China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) was established in May 2017 to discuss issues of mutual concern in the South China Sea and explore possible areas of cooperation. However, rising tensions in the SCS between China and the Philippines, compounded by the Taiwan issue, have hindered the BCM’s ability to fulfil its original objectives.

China China-Philippine Relations Philippine South China Sea

4 Mar 2024

Made in China? The Challenge of State-Sponsored Cyber Intrusions in the Philippines

Francis C. Domingo

Apart from security challenges associated with regional geopolitical tensions, the Philippines must address its vulnerability against state-sponsored intrusions into its cyberspace.

China-Philippine Relations Philippine Philippine Politics

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.

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

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