Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday denied the existence of a “gentleman’s agreement” between his predecessor and the Chinese government that Manila would not make repairs to a military outpost on a contested shoal in the South China Sea. Last week, Harry Roque, who served as Rodrigo Duterte’s presidential spokesperson, told the media that Duterte … Read more
The recent escalations at the Second Thomas Shoal, a maritime area caught between the sovereignty claims of China and the Philippines, bring to the forefront the longstanding complexities of South China Sea territorial disputes. This focal point of regional contention, lying within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) yet claimed by China as part of … Read more
The first few weeks of 2024 have already seen a serious escalation of tension between China and the Philippines in their sovereignty dispute over the Second Thomas Shoal – situated 105 nautical miles west of Palawan, Philippines, and about 600 nautical miles from Hainan, China. Since the fall of 2023, there have been several run-ins … Read more
As a U.S. Navy surveillance plane flew in circles, keeping a close watch, dozens of Chinese coast guard and accompanying ships chased and encircled Philippine vessels in the latest confrontation in one of the most dangerous flashpoints in the South China Sea. At the height of Friday’s four-hour face-off in the high seas, a Chinese … Read more
Asia Geopolitics | Risk Intelligence | Security | Southeast Asia What’s driving tensions between China and the Philippines at Second Thomas Shoal? Credit: AP Photo/Aaron FavilaAdvertisement The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss tensions between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea. Click the play button above to listen. If you’re an … Read more
Flashpoints | Security | Southeast Asia The Philippines’ bold and creative moves to defy China provide a powerful example to the other Southeast Asian nations on how they, too, can resist Chinese interference. In this handout photo provided by the Malacanang Presidential Communications Office, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., center right, listens during an emergency meeting with the defense … Read more
Philippine supply boat, center, maneuvers around Chinese coast guard ships as they try to block its way near Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, at the disputed South China Sea on Aug. 22, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File Advertisement Two Philippine supply boats breached a Chinese coast guard blockade in the South … Read more
A Philippine flag is seen on the now crumbling Philippine navy ship BRP Sierra Madre at the Second Thomas Shoal locally known as Ayungin Shoal at the South China Sea on Sunday, April 23, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Aaron Favila Advertisement Philippine officials are denying the claim of the Chinese Foreign Ministry that there was a … Read more
A Philippine flag and a basketball court is seen on the now crumbling Philippine navy ship BRP Sierra Madre at the Second Thomas Shoal locally known as Ayungin Shoal at the South China Sea on Sunday, April 23, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Aaron Favila Advertisement Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo yesterday called on China to take … Read more