Lucio Blanco Pitlo III, President of Philippine Association for Chinese Studies, and Research Fellow at Asia-Pacific Pathways to Progress Foundation
Aug 21, 2024
The Philippines, ever aware of its strategic importance in Asia’s waters, is making moves to strengthen its positions in economy and defense, the latter area being of utmost importance to Manila when looking at the flurry of activity Manila has taken in recent months.
Richard Javad Heydarian, Professorial Chairholder in Geopolitics, Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Jul 26, 2024
The Philippines is at a crucial juncture right now, as the U.S. and China jockey for influence over the strategic waters surrounding the nation. Under new leadership favoring the West, the Philippines risks entangling itself in an escalating struggle between the two global powers.
Du Lan, Deputy Director at Asia-Pacific Institute, China Institute of International Studies
Jun 21, 2024
Through a campaign to smear China, the Marcos government has managed to alienate itself from other countries in Southeast Asia. Working hand in glove with the United States, it will only find itself increasingly isolated from other ASEAN member states.
Lucio Blanco Pitlo III, President of Philippine Association for Chinese Studies, and Research Fellow at Asia-Pacific Pathways to Progress Foundation
Jun 12, 2024
The polemics over a so-called “gentleman’s agreement” between the Philippines and China to manage a bitter row over the South China Sea may confound future diplomatic efforts to handle the spat. China sees Philippine commitment as fleeting,
Richard Javad Heydarian, Professorial Chairholder in Geopolitics, Polytechnic University of the Philippines
May 24, 2024
Amid a shifting foreign policy in the Philippines under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., maritime tensions in the South China Sea have escalated, prompting the Philippines to join the newly-formed Quadrilateral security grouping, dubbed the 'Squad,' to intensify security cooperation. While Marcos Jr. emphasizes diplomatic solutions, tensions persist due to opposing interpretations of past agreements with China, potentially complicating regional dynamics.
Richard Javad Heydarian, Professorial Chairholder in Geopolitics, Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Apr 30, 2024
The Philippines under Duterte shifted toward a more neutral position between the U.S. and China, but now under the leadership of Marcos Jr, a more U.S. friendly approach has given rise to more flashpoint issues concerning the Philippines accommodations of U.S. military.
Liu Chang, Assistant Research Fellow, Department for American Studies, CIIS
Apr 23, 2024
America is holding ASEAN countries back from a central role in its Indo-Pacific Strategy, but their self-confidence is growing. It’s not lost on anyone that Southeast Asia’s strategic position has not changed in the minds of U.S. decision-makers. Meanwhile, China offers welcome alternatives.
Zhong Yin, Research Professor, Research Institute of Global Chinese and Area Studies, Beijing Language and Culture University
Apr 19, 2024
Fabricating a strategic architecture by uniting Japan, the Philippines and Australia with the United States will only accelerate the transformation of the region into opposing camps and drag the big powers into a dangerous Thucydides trap.
Dan Steinbock, Founder, Difference Group
Apr 05, 2024
The doctrine of “assertive transparency” has dramatically escalated South China Sea tensions. Among other things, it has paved the way to the alignment of the U.S., Japan and Philippines in the impending April summit.
Lucio Blanco Pitlo III, President of Philippine Association for Chinese Studies, and Research Fellow at Asia-Pacific Pathways to Progress Foundation
Apr 05, 2024
Confrontations over the South China Sea are startling events that bring up the potential for heated conflict, but disagreements in troubled waters have ripple effects that lead to economic problems as well.