South Korea Installs Platform to Monitor Chinese Presence in Disputed Sea

 

South Korea has set up a “reciprocal” platform in a disputed area of the Yellow Sea, known in Seoul as the West Sea, where China has increasingly built structures, Oceans Minister Kang Do-hyung said on Wednesday.

China says its structures are fish farming equipment, but they have raised alarm bells in Seoul over concerns Beijing could be seeking to stake claims in the Provisional Maritime Zone, where the two countries’ exclusive economic zones overlap.

Kang told parliament that South Korea is monitoring the Chinese presence by setting up a stationary floating platform for “environmental survey.”

“South Korea has taken reciprocal measure with a large-scale floating object,” he said.

In February, a South Korean research vessel sent to examine the Chinese structures was blocked by Chinese coast guard ships and rubber boats carrying civilians, according to South Korean media reports.

The South Korean coast guard also deployed and was involved in a two-hour stand-off before retreating, the reports said.

Lawmakers from South Korea’s ruling People Power Party on Tuesday called the Chinese presence a “direct challenge to marine security” and urged a more forceful response.

Kwon Young-se, chairman of the party’s emergency response committee, said China was using fishing as a pretext and compared its actions to those it has taken in the South China Sea, where Beijing claims vast swathes of the area, despite overlapping claims by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

“The West Sea is not just a sea, the West Sea is Korea,” he said. “It is where many fishermen make their living, and the front line of our security.”

In a statement on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Seoul said some reports about the structures were not factual and that they do not violate any agreements.

“The fact is that the relevant facilities set up by China are deep-sea fishery aquaculture facilities located in China’s coastal waters, which are China’s reasonable use of offshore marine resources,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

China maintains communication through diplomatic channels, and hopes to “avoid unwarranted politicization of the matter,” the spokesperson added. “China and South Korea have maintained good and smooth communication on their differences related to the sea.”

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G7 ministers condemn China's 'coercive' actions in South China Sea

 

Foreign ministers of the G7 nations have condemned China's actions that have posed risks to regional stability, while expressing concern over efforts to restrict freedom of navigation and overflight through "force" and "coercion" in the South China Sea.

This was conveyed on Friday in the Declaration on Maritime Security and Prosperity by G7 foreign ministers following their meeting in La Malbaie, Canada this week.

"We condemn China's illicit, provocative, coercive and dangerous actions that seek unilaterally to alter the status quo in such a way as to risk undermining the stability of regions, including through land reclamations, and building of outposts, as well as their use for military purpose," the declaration read.

It added, "We oppose unilateral attempts to change the status quo, in particular by force or coercion including in the East and South China Seas."

The ministers highlighted the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight, which have been  areas of concern for the Philippines amid its territorial dispute with China.

Aside from past incidents of water cannon attacks in the West Philippine Sea, tensions between the two countries have also reached the skies. One such incident happened last February, when a Chinese helicopter flew as close as three meters above and on the side of an aircraft of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) over Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal.

"We condemn, as well, dangerous vessel maneuvers, the indiscriminate attacks against commercial vessels and other maritime actions that undermine maritime order based on the rule of law and international law," the ministers said.

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Vietnam Registers Tonkin Gulf Maritime Boundaries with UN Under UNCLOS

 Vietnam Registers Tonkin Gulf Maritime Boundaries with UN Under UNCLOS

 UN Confirms Vietnam's Submission of Nautical Chart and Baseline Coordinates

The United Nations has officially acknowledged Vietnam's registration of its nautical chart and baseline coordinates for the Tonkin Gulf, further strengthening the country's maritime boundaries under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Vietnam's Baseline Registration at the UN

In a notification dated March 12 to UN member states, the Secretary-General confirmed that on March 7, the Government of Vietnam submitted its nautical chart and a list of geographic coordinates outlining straight baselines for its mainland territory in the Tonkin Gulf. This submission, made in accordance with Article 16(2) of UNCLOS, also defines the outer limits of Vietnam’s territorial sea in the region.

The UN website officially published Vietnam’s baseline submission details on March 14, further solidifying its legal standing under international maritime law.

Additionally, the notification highlighted that Vietnam’s official declaration on February 21, 2025, regarding the baseline used to determine the breadth of its territorial sea in the Tonkin Gulf, will be included in an upcoming edition of the UN’s "Law of the Sea Bulletin."

Vietnam’s move to register its baselines is a significant step in affirming its maritime sovereignty and ensuring compliance with UNCLOS regulations. This development is expected to contribute to regional stability and enhance legal clarity in the Tonkin Gulf.

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UK Foreign Secretary Condemns China's "Dangerous" Activities in South China Sea

 UK Foreign Secretary Condemns China's "Dangerous" Activities in South China Sea 

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has strongly criticized China's actions in the disputed South China Sea, describing them as "dangerous and destabilizing." The comments came following Lammy's recent visit to the Philippines over the weekend.

In a video partially recorded aboard a Philippine Coast Guard vessel, Lammy expressed concern over China's activities in the region. "We're concerned about dangerous and destabilizing activities by China in this region. The Philippines is at the sharp end of this, facing frequent challenges to freedom of navigation and international law," he stated.

Lammy emphasized the importance of safe and secure trade routes in the South China Sea for global economic growth. "Growth in the UK and around the world depends on these trade routes being safe and secure," he said in the video shared on social media platform X.

The South China Sea, a strategically vital waterway, is claimed almost entirely by China, despite an international ruling invalidating Beijing's claims. China has been deploying navy and coast guard vessels to prevent Manila from accessing crucial reefs and islands in the area, resulting in a series of recent confrontations.

During his visit, Lammy and his Filipino counterpart, Enrique Manalo, signed a joint framework agreement to enhance defense and maritime cooperation between the UK and the Philippines. "This joint framework will help us deliver more cooperation on defence, on regional security, on trade, on science, on tech, on climate and nature over this coming period," Lammy announced at a press conference in Manila.

This agreement follows a similar deal between the Philippines and Canada last week, aimed at strengthening their security partnership. Manila has been actively seeking such pacts with various nations, including the United States, Australia, and Japan, in response to increasing tensions with China in the region.

The UK's stance aligns with growing international concern over China's assertive behavior in the South China Sea, as nations seek to maintain freedom of navigation and uphold international law in these contested waters.

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UK condemns Beijing's 'dangerous' South China Sea activity

 UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy slammed "dangerous and destabilising" activity by Beijing in the disputed South China Sea on Monday, following a weekend visit to the Philippines.

"We're concerned about dangerous and destabilising activities by China in this region," Lammy said in a video partly filmed alongside a vessel belonging to the Philippine Coast Guard, which has frequent tense confrontations with its Chinese counterpart.

"The Philippines is at the sharp end of this, facing frequent challenges to freedom of navigation and international law," Lammy added.

"Growth in the UK and around the world depends on these trade routes being safe and secure," Lammy said in the video shared on X.

China claims the strategically important South China Sea in nearly its entirety, despite an international ruling that its claims have no legal basis.

Beijing has deployed navy and coast guard vessels in a bid to bar Manila from crucial reefs and islands in the South China Sea, leading to a string of confrontations in recent months.

In a Saturday meeting with his Filipino counterpart Enrique Manalo, the UK and the Philippines signed a joint framework to boost defense and maritime cooperation.

"This joint framework will help us deliver more cooperation on defense, on regional security, on trade, on science, on tech, on climate and nature over this coming period," Lammy said at a Manila press conference.

It follows a deal between the Philippines and Canada last week to boost their security partnership, and is the latest such pact sought by Manila in the face of frequent clashes with the Chinese coast guard.

The Philippines has similar agreements with the United States, Australia and Japan.

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China Main Culprit in South China Sea Marine Habitat Destruction

 China Main Culprit in South China Sea Marine Habitat Destruction

 

China's artificial island-building activities are responsible for approximately two-thirds of marine habitat destruction caused by dredge-and-fill construction in the South China Sea, according to recent research.

Since 2013, China has buried over 4,600 acres (around 19 square kilometers) of coral reefs, as reported by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) in January 2025. AMTI, a project under the U.S.-based think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), analyzed satellite imagery and concluded that China accounted for 65% of the total 8,000 acres of coral reef damage.

The report highlighted that these artificial island-building projects result in irreversible and long-term impacts on the reef's structure and overall ecological health.

AMTI researchers examined coral reef destruction caused by various claimants in the South China Sea—including Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam—and identified China as the primary offender. China's expansive territorial claims over nearly all of this strategic waterway disregard a 2016 international tribunal ruling that invalidated its claims.

The December 2023 AMTI report titled "Deep Blue Scars: Environmental Threats to the South China Sea" detailed China's destructive dredging methods. Chinese cutter suction dredgers cut into reefs and pumped sediment through pipelines to shallow areas, creating landfill. This process disturbed seabed habitats and generated abrasive sediment clouds that killed marine life and overwhelmed coral reefs' natural recovery capabilities.

Moreover, Chinese vessels harvesting giant clams have damaged an additional 16,353 acres (66 square kilometers) of coral reef. The harvested clam shells are carved into jewelry or statues sold in China. Fishermen employ a particularly harmful technique involving specially designed brass propellers dragged across reefs to facilitate clam collection.

This latest report coincides with the Philippines' consideration of initiating another arbitration case against China for ongoing violations of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Manila previously initiated arbitration proceedings leading to the 2016 ruling against China's claims and has expressed hope that other nations might join a potential multilateral legal action.

The 2016 tribunal ruling found China's artificial island-building at seven reefs breached six UNCLOS obligations, including responsibilities to protect marine environments, reduce pollution, and cooperate in managing marine resources sustainably.

A new arbitration case could involve similar environmental allegations. Previously, the Philippines called for an international investigation into environmental damage caused by giant clam harvesting at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. Additionally, Manila may pursue a nonbinding UN resolution to seek an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), according to AMTI Director Gregory B. Poling.

During the UN General Assembly session in September 2024, the Philippines gathered senior officials from over 20 countries to demonstrate international solidarity against China's actions regarding South China Sea disputes. Poling emphasized that pursuing both legal and diplomatic measures would mutually reinforce each other, expanding Manila's options for arbitration through greater engagement with UN mechanisms.

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US-Japan South China Sea Statement ‘Attacks and Smears China’

Beijing said on Monday that a joint statement by the United States and Japan condemning its “provocative activities” in the contested South China Sea “attacks and smears” China.

China claims almost all of the South China Sea, despite an international ruling in 2016 concluding this has no legal basis.

US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Friday they opposed China’s “unlawful maritime claims, militarisation of reclaimed features, and threatening and provocative activities in the South China Sea” after they met in Washington.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun hit back saying: “The China-related content of the US-Japan joint statement blatantly interferes in China’s internal affairs, attacks and smears China and exaggerates regional tensions.”

China had “lodged solemn representations” with both countries, he added at a regular press briefing.

Friday’s meeting was the first between Trump and Ishiba, who both heaped praise on the other and doubled down on decades-old ties in security and trade.

Japan is one of the United States’ closest allies in Asia, with around 54,000 US military personnel stationed in the country.

Beijing has in recent months pressed its territorial claims in the South China Sea — which overlap Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brunei, the Philippines and Taiwan’s — more stridently.

It has deployed navy and coast guard vessels in a bid to bar the Philippines from strategically important reefs and islands in the area.

The Philippines and United States are bound by a mutual defense pact, and the recent clashes have sparked fears the US military could be drawn into an escalation.

In January, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio voiced “serious concern” over what he called Beijing’s “coercive” moves in the South China Sea and Taiwan, during his first call with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

China claims democratic, self-ruled Taiwan as its territory and has not renounced the use of force to claim it.

Trump and Ishiba said in their joint statement that they support Taiwan’s participation in international organizations and “opposed any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo (in the Taiwan Strait) by force or coercion.”

Like most countries, the United States has no official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but it is the island’s main supplier of arms for defense.

Guo warned the United States and Japan on Monday to “clearly oppose Taiwan independence.”

“If the relevant countries really care about peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, they should abide by the one-China principle and clearly oppose Taiwan independence,” he said. 

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Asean maritime pacts ‘can boost talks on South China Sea code’

 The Philippines’ foreign secretary says efforts among Asean members could bolster progress in negotiating a substantive code of conduct for the South China Sea.

Enhanced maritime cooperation among Asean members could help advance negotiations for a code of conduct in the South China Sea, says Philippine foreign secretary Enrique Manalo.

“We have the basic negotiations between the Asean countries and China, but this doesn’t prevent other countries from seeking maritime cooperative activities with each other, because that, too, will help, even with China,” he said.

“All of these could work and be supportive of the negotiations on the code,” he told FMT.

Manalo, who is in Langkawi for the Asean foreign ministers’ retreat, reiterated the Philippines’ full commitment to the COC negotiations, which began in 2018.

Talks about conduct guidelines began in the 1990s due to China’s assertive claims over much of the South China Sea.

He said critical issues must be dealt with urgently, such as whether the code of conduct would be legally binding, the scope of the code, and its alignment with international laws, particularly the United Nations convention on the law of the sea.

“It’s only in this way that we can really push and move the negotiations forward,” he said. “We can’t do that in an effective way unless we also start discussing the issues.”

Progress on the code has been lagging, while the Philippines, one of the frontline states, has been increasingly vocal about the importance of ensuring a substantive and legally binding agreement.

China’s claims over the South China Sea are disputed by the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia.

Last month, Malaysia became the first Southeast Asian country to sign a comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam. It is believed that Indonesia and the Philippines may soon follow suit, as Asean members begin uniting more assertively against China’s claims.

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US VP Harris supports maintaining US-PH ties

 

US Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized the importance of maintaining the steadfast support of the United States for the Philippines, particularly in light of China’s continued aggression in the West Philippine Sea.

“Indeed, and I will tell you from my first visit to Manila and our first conversation, it is extremely important to me and to the United States that we reaffirm the commitment to the defense of the Philippines including the South China Sea,” Vice President Harris told President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during the two leaders’ phone call late Tuesday.

The call between Harris and President Marcos came just a few days after a trilateral phone conversation involving US President Joe Biden and Japan Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru on Monday.

Harris reflected on her historic visit to the Philippines, especially her trip to Palawan in November 2022, which she said underscored “the vulnerability in the region.”

She noted the visit strengthened President Biden’s resolve to support the Philippines in terms of both security and prosperity.

“I know there is bipartisan support within the United States Congress and within the US for the strength of this relationship and the enduring nature of it in terms of security, but again prosperity and to your point of people-to-people ties,” Harris told President Marcos.

In response, President Marcos expressed gratitude for the US Vice President’s sentiments, highlighting the robust and productive partnership between the Philippines and the United States.

“Madame Vice President, before I came to this call I was going through all of the things that we had discussed in the past couple of years. And it is remarkable how much work we have been able to do and how much it has progressed and developed the relationship between our two countries. Already very strong relationship but evolving and evolving for the modern challenges that we face, both for us and the South China Sea and for the United States around the world,” President Marcos said.

“As I told President Biden when I spoke to him, I said that, I remember … just before we signed the trilateral agreement in Washington, that, I said to President Biden that this will change the dynamic of the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific. And it certainly has done that,” he added.

President Marcos also emphasized the ties among the Philippines, the US and Japan have gained recognition within ASEAN, strengthening their collective position on pressing issues in the West Philippine Sea.

He further acknowledged Vice President Harris’ significant contributions to the Philippines, stating that her efforts have provided a strong foundation for continued collaboration between the two nations.

The President particularly noted the economic, diplomatic, defense and security levels, which he described as “terribly encouraging.”

President Marcos said he hopes “to build on that and continue to work” on what the two nations have begun grounded on shared values and international law.

Before the telephone call concluded, President Marcos invited Harris to visit the Philippines again.

President Marcos had a meeting with Harris before the beginning of the APEC conference in San Francisco in November 2023.

The meeting centered on the Philippine assessment on the situation in the West Philippines Sea.

They met previously when Harris visited Manila in November 2022; the Vice President hosting President Marcos at the Naval Observatory in May 2023; a bilateral meeting on the margins of the East Asia Summit in Jakarta in September 2023; and a trilateral meeting with Japan Prime Minister Kishida in Jakarta in September 2023.

The Philippines and the US established formal diplomatic relations on July 4, 1946.

The United States is the Philippines’ oldest and only treaty ally. Bilateral defense and security engagement remains the key pillar of PH-U.S. bilateral relations and is carried out within the framework of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), and other bilateral agreements.

In 2023, the US ranked as the third top trading partner of the Philippines with total trade valued at US$19.96 billion. 

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Philippines threatens legal action after Chinese coast guard ship sails in disputed South China Sea

 

A Philippine security official says that China is pushing the country "to the wall" with growing aggression in the disputed South China Sea, warning that "all options are on the table" for Manila's response, including new international lawsuits.

A large Chinese coast guard ship patrolled hotly disputed Scarborough Shoal in recent days and then sailed toward the north-western coast of the Philippines on Tuesday, coming as close as 77 nautical miles (143 kilometres), Philippine officials said in a news conference on Tuesday.

"The presence of the monster ship in Filipino waters … 77 nautical miles from our shoreline, is unacceptable and, therefore, it should be withdrawn immediately by the Chinese government," Jonathan Malaya, assistant director-general of the National Security Council, said at the news conference alongside senior military and coast guard officials.

"We do not and will not dignify these scare tactics by backing down. We do not waver or cower in the face of intimidation. On the contrary, it strengthens our resolve because we know we are in the right."

A Chinese official said in Beijing that his country's sovereignty in the South China Sea is well established and its coast guard patrols are lawful and justified.

"We once again urge the Philippines to immediately stop all infringement, provocation and malicious hype," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said.

The Chinese government has repeatedly accused the Philippines and other rival claimant states including Vietnam and Malaysia of encroaching on what it says are "undisputed" Chinese territorial waters.

 

Philippines working with Asian nations on security deals

 

Two Philippine coast guard ships, backed by a small surveillance aircraft, repeatedly ordered the 165-meter Chinese coast guard ship to withdraw from the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, a 200-nautical mile (370-kilometre) stretch of water, Philippine coast guard Commodore Jay Tarriela said.

"What we're doing there is, hour-by-hour and day-to-day, [we're] challenging the illegal presence of the Chinese coast guard for the international community to know that we're not going to allow China to normalise the illegal deployment," Mr Tarriela said.

Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who took office in mid-2022, the Philippines has aggressively defended its territorial interests in the South China Sea, a key global trading route.

That has brought Philippine forces into frequent confrontation with China's coast guard, navy and suspected militia boats and sparked fears that a bigger armed conflict could draw in the United States, the Philippines' longtime treaty ally and China's regional rival.

The lopsided conflict has forced the Philippines to seek security arrangements with other Asian and Western countries, including Japan, with which it signed a key agreement last July which would allow their forces to hold joint combat training.

 

The pact, which must be ratified by officials of both countries before it takes effect, was the first such agreement to be forged by Japan in Asia.

 

China surrounded Scarborough Shoal with its coast guard and other ships after a tense territorial stand-off with the Philippines in 2012.

The Philippines responded by bringing its disputes with China to international arbitration in 2013 and largely won three years later when an arbitration panel in The Hague invalidated China's expansive claims in the busy sea passage under the 1982 United Convention on the Law of the Sea.

China has rejected the 2016 arbitration ruling and continues to openly defy it.

"Will this lead to another case?" Mr Malaya said.

"All options are on the table because the closer the monster ship is in Philippine waters, the more it makes tensions high and the more that the Philippine government contemplates things it was not contemplating before."

China has warned the Philippines from pursuing another legal case in an international forum after the arbitration, preferring bilateral negotiations, which give Beijing an advantage because of its size and clout, a senior Philippine official has said on condition of anonymity because of a lack of authority to discuss such sensitive issues publicly.

The two countries have also been discussing their territorial conflicts under a bilateral consultation mechanism to avoid an escalation of the disputes. The next round of talks will be hosted by China, the official said. 

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US and Canadian warships hold joint drills in South China Sea

The Canadian naval ship HMCS Ottawa conducted a joint exercise with the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Higgins in the South China Sea, as reported by the Canadian Joint Operations Command. This comes amid growing tensions in the region.

During the Jan. 8 to 11 drills, codenamed Noble Wolverine, both ships “navigated through the South China Sea’s international waters while conducting communications exercises, flight operations and anti-submarine warfare training,” the command announced on its feed on the X social media site on Sunday.

The Halifax-class frigate HMCS Ottawa also sailed near Scarborough Shoal, where the Chinese and Philippine coast guards have been engaged in a cat-and-mouse game for weeks.

The disputed chain of reefs is inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone but under China’s de-facto control.

Beijing has deployed its largest coast guard ship, dubbed “The Monster” for its size, to the area since the beginning of the year, which Manila sees as “an act of intimidation, coercion and aggression.”

The passing Canadian warship was closely followed by Chinese naval ships, Canada’s CTV News reported.

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Philippines files protest over Beijing’s ‘escalatory actions’ in South China Sea

 

The Philippines on Jan 13 called on Beijing to desist from “escalatory actions” at a South China Sea shoal, and said a protest has been lodged over the presence of the Chinese coast guard, militia and navy in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The protest stems from the presence of two coast guard vessels on Jan 5 and 10 in and around the disputed Scarborough Shoal, one of which was a 165m-long boat referred to by the Philippines as “the monster”.

It said a Chinese navy helicopter was also deployed in the area.

“The escalatory actions of these Chinese vessels and aircraft disregard Philippine and international laws,” said the Philippines’ National Maritime Council, an inter-agency group tasked with upholding the country’s interests at sea.

“China should direct its vessels to desist from conducting illegal actions that violate the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its EEZ,” it said in a statement.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a news conference that the country’s coast guard “patrol and law enforcement activities” were “reasonable, lawful and beyond reproach”.

“China urges the Philippine side to cease its malicious hype,” Mr Guo said.

China says Scarborough Shoal is its territory and has accused the Philippines of trespassing.

Tensions between China and the Philippines, a US ally, have escalated in the past two years, with frequent run-ins between their coast guards in the South China Sea, which China claims sovereignty over almost in its entirety.

The statement came just hours after Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr had a virtual call with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, where the three leaders discussed China’s conduct in the South China Sea.

Mr Marcos’ communications office said the leaders agreed to enhance and deepen economic, maritime and technology cooperation.

The call followed a first-of-its-kind summit meeting between Mr Marcos, Mr Biden and then Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington in April 2024 to uphold international law and regional stability.

Mr Biden, who will step down on Jan 20, was quoted as saying in Manila’s read-out of the call that he is “optimistic” that his successor, President-elect Donald Trump, will see the value of continuing the partnership.

“Simply put, our countries have an interest in continuing this partnership and institutionalising our cooperation across our governments so that it is built to last,” Mr Biden said.

Mr Marcos said he is confident that the three countries will sustain the gains in deepening their diplomatic ties.

The White House said in a statement that the three leaders discussed China’s “dangerous and unlawful behaviour in the South China Sea” and agreed on the importance of continued coordination in the Indo-Pacific region.

Japan’s Foreign Ministry separately said in a statement that the three leaders have opposed “unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force” in the East and South China seas, without mentioning Beijing.

Japan and the Philippines – bound by bilateral defence treaties with the US – are both involved in separate territorial disputes with China in the East China Sea and South China Sea, respectively.

Mr Marcos’ office said Mr Biden also commended the Philippine leader for his diplomatic response “to China’s aggressive and coercive activities in the South China Sea”.

The Philippines in 2024 ratified a military agreement with Japan that will ease the entry of soldiers into each other’s country for joint military exercises.

The three countries’ coast guards also staged joint exercises in 2023.

China’s expansive claims overlap with the EEZs of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

The disputed waterway is a strategic shipping route through which about US$3 trillion (S$4.1 trillion) of annual commerce moves.

A 2016 ruling of an international arbitral tribunal said Beijing’s claims, based on its historic maps, have no basis under international law, a decision China does not recognise.

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Japan, Indonesia Strengthen Security Ties Amid South China Sea Tensions

Japan and Indonesia have agreed to bolster maritime security cooperation in response to China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea.

During a meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on January 11, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced that Tokyo would provide a high-speed patrol boat to the Indonesian navy under its Official Security Assistance program.

The leaders also committed to holding a two-plus-two meeting of their foreign and defense ministers by the end of the year, marking the first such talks since March 2021. This security framework, first established in 2015, was Japan’s inaugural defense dialogue with an ASEAN member.

Strategic Partnership and Shared Values

“Indonesia is a comprehensive and strategic partner that shares fundamental values and principles with Japan,” Ishiba stated at a joint news conference.

Prabowo, who took office in October, described Japan as a key partner, emphasizing that Ishiba’s visit underscores the commitment of both nations to strengthening cooperation across various sectors.

Japan views closer ties with Indonesia—a leading ASEAN member—as a way to counterbalance China’s maritime activities. Additionally, Tokyo hopes to bridge ASEAN and the United States, given regional concerns over the incoming Trump administration’s “America First” approach.

Defense and Economic Cooperation

Ishiba and Prabowo welcomed an agreement between their defense ministers on January 7 to launch a bilateral maritime security dialogue. They also confirmed plans to collaborate on defense equipment, technology, and personnel exchanges. One possibility under discussion is the joint development of a naval vessel based on Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers.

Beyond security, the two nations pledged cooperation on resource management and infrastructure projects to support carbon reduction efforts in Asia.

Indonesia’s Balancing Act

Despite strengthening ties with Japan, Indonesia maintains significant economic relations with China. On January 6, Indonesia formally joined BRICS—a bloc that includes China, Russia, and other emerging economies—further reflecting its balanced foreign policy approach.

At the joint news conference, Prabowo reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to fostering positive relations with all major powers, aiming to contribute to global stability.

Japan’s Regional Strategy

Before departing for Japan on January 12, Ishiba highlighted the importance of strengthening ties with Southeast Asia amid growing geopolitical uncertainty.

“In these uncertain times, deeper engagement with Southeast Asia is essential,” Ishiba said. “I exchanged views with both leaders on relations with the U.S. and China, as well as developments in the East and South China Seas. We agreed to maintain close communication.”

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Philippines to Pursue Diplomacy in South China Sea Disputes but Will Defend Sovereign Rights: Foreign Secretary

The Philippines remains committed to resolving tensions in the South China Sea through diplomatic channels but will not compromise its territorial sovereignty, said Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo in an interview with CNA’s Leong Wai Kit.

“We are dedicated to addressing any disputes peacefully and in line with international law. That has always been our stance,” Manalo stated. “While we are open to discussions on managing tensions, our sovereign rights and sovereignty will not be compromised.”

Managing Tensions with China

Relations between the Philippines and China have become increasingly strained due to frequent maritime confrontations in the disputed South China Sea, also known in Manila as the West Philippine Sea. The Philippines has strongly condemned Beijing’s aggressive actions, while China has accused Manila of repeated encroachment in its claimed waters.

China asserts sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, overlapping with the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of the Philippines and several other nations. Under international law, a country’s EEZ extends 200 nautical miles from its coast, granting rights over marine resource exploration and usage.

“Our activities within our EEZ are lawful and in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” Manalo emphasized. “We are simply asserting our rights and expect them to be respected. We are determined to defend them.”

Not Driven by US-China Rivalry

Manalo pointed out that China often views the Philippines’ maritime stance through the lens of US-China competition rather than as a bilateral issue.

“The Philippines is not asserting its rights in the EEZ because of the US. We are doing so based on international law and our national interest,” he said. “This should be seen within the context of Philippine-China relations and how we can improve them.”

Since early 2023, the Philippines has adopted an “assertive transparency” strategy, publicly documenting Chinese actions in the disputed waters, including incidents of harassment against Philippine vessels and fishermen.

“Transparency allows the truth to be seen. We are exercising our legal rights, and we did not initiate confrontations,” Manalo said. “All we have done is conduct routine resupply missions for our troops or assist our fishermen, yet we have faced harassment, intimidation, even collisions and water cannon attacks. The best way to show the reality is to publicize these events.”

Strengthening Defense Capabilities

As a long-time ally of the United States, the Philippines has a mutual defense treaty with Washington, ensuring assistance in times of major conflict.

Last month, Manila announced plans to acquire the US-made Typhon missile system as part of efforts to bolster its maritime security. The move drew criticism from China, which warned it could trigger a regional “arms race.” The missile system purchase is expected to be completed in about two years.

Manalo clarified that the acquisition is solely for defense.

“Our aim is to modernize our military and enhance our defense capabilities. We are committed to maintaining peace in the region. Any upgrades we pursue are meant to improve our defensive capacities, not to provoke hostilities.”

US-Philippines Relations Under Trump

With Donald Trump set to return to the White House on January 20, Manalo expressed confidence that US-Philippine relations would remain strong, citing decades of cooperation.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. congratulated Trump following the US election last November, reaffirming both nations’ commitment to strengthening their alliance.

“Their conversation gives us confidence that our relationship will remain stable. We share common perspectives on regional security,” Manalo said. “Our cooperation extends beyond defense and military ties to economic and private sector partnerships.”

He recalled that during Trump’s first presidency (2017–2021), US-Philippines ties remained robust, with Trump even describing his relationship with then-Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte as “great.”

“Our alliance has grown stronger over time. Military cooperation under our mutual defense treaty and agreements like the Visiting Forces Agreement has been a cornerstone of our partnership,” Manalo noted. “These commitments have been in place for 75 years, and they will continue.”

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Vietnam Opposes Alleged ‘Brutal’ Chinese Attack on Its Boat

Vietnam accused Chinese law enforcement of a “brutal” attack on a Vietnamese fishing vessel on Sunday that threatened the lives of crew members in disputed waters of the South China Sea.

An alleged attack by Chinese law enforcement authorities on a Vietnamese fishing vessel from the central province of Quang Ngai resulted in injuries to 10 crewmen, including three that suffered broken bones, state media Tien Phong newspaper reported.

Vietnam has a long-standing territorial dispute in the South China Sea with China, which claims the majority of the area as its territory — an assertion that overlaps with separate claims by Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan as well as the Philippines.

“Vietnam is extremely concerned, indignant and resolutely opposes the brutal behavior of Chinese law enforcement forces against Vietnamese fishermen and fishing vessels operating in the Paracel archipelago of Vietnam,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said in an emailed statement Wednesday evening.

Vietnam protested the incident in discussions with China’s Hanoi embassy. The ministry demanded “China to fully respect Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Paracel archipelago, promptly investigate and notify Vietnam on the results, and do not to repeat similar actions.”

 China’s Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that the Vietnamese boats “illegally” fished in the waters of the Paracel Islands without the permission of the Chinese government. Chinese authorities took measures to stop them, it added. 

“The on-site operations were professional and restrained, and no injuries were found,” the Foreign Ministry said in response to questions from Bloomberg News. “China does not accept Vietnam’s so-called ‘protest’ and has resolutely rejected it.”

The US also weighed in, saying it’s deeply concerned by reports of “dangerous actions” by Chinese law enforcement vessels against Vietnamese fishing boats.

Beijing has passed a slate of regulations in recent years as a means to enforce its claims in the South China Sea. That includes enacting new maritime patrol regulations earlier this year authorizing the detention of foreign ships and individuals law enforcement suspect of illegally entering what China considers to be its territorial waters.

“What this signals is the laws that China has passed right up through this year and very recently are now being applied,” said Carl Thayer, emeritus professor at the University of New South Wales, comparing the incident to recent collisions with Philippine resupply vessels elsewhere in the South China Sea. “Everyone else should take note.”

Vietnam’s Tien Phong reported that the attackers were accused of seizing about four tons of seafood and smashing and removing equipment from the boat. Losses were estimated at 500 million dong ($20,220), it added. 

Vietnam and the Philippines signed two letters of intent in August, including one on humanitarian assistance at sea, while a more comprehensive security agreement is targeted for completion later this year. In June, Vietnam offered to have talks with the Philippines about overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea as Manila decries increasingly violent clashes with Chinese vessels in contested waters.

The Philippines issued a statement on Friday condemning China’s moves. “We stand with Vietnam in denouncing this egregious act and call for accountability,” National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano said. “Such actions escalate tensions and threaten regional security.”

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