South China Sea

Francis "Tol" Tolentino helped author two recent pieces of legislation asserting Manila's claims in the disputed waterway.

The Philippine defense secretary said that the agreement was part of the Marcos administration's attempt to build alliances as a counter to China's assertive maritime behavior.

Driven by concerns about China's growing power and assertiveness, both nations are playing a more active role in disputed Asian waters.

The drills, which will include simulated search and rescue exercise later this week, follow exercises that were held in the Philippines in June 2023.

Many outside observers argue that Putrajaya has been sleeping on the Chinese threat in the South China Sea. Its actions suggest otherwise.

In the Philippines this week, the EU’s foreign policy chief expressed concern over China's "illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive measures" in the disputed waterway.

The announcement is an apparent response to the geopolitical turbulence that is roiling both regions.

Sandy Cay lies just a few nautical miles from Thitu Island, the largest Philippine military outpost in the Spratly Islands.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has pledged to bolster Manila's capacity to push back against Beijing's growing assertiveness in the South China Sea.

The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative estimates that Hanoi has created 641 new acres of land in the disputed Spratly Islands since June.

The informal grouping, established last May, is intended to counter China's assertive behavior in the South China Sea.

The involvement of an extra-regional great power in a small power’s territorial disputes with China may prove counterproductive.