Philippines Stands Up to Aggression, Joins Push for Regional Security at Shangri-La Dialogue

People in the Philippines are growing impatient with what they regard as bullying behavior by China. 

A survey published earlier in 2024 suggested that more than 70% of Filipinos believe Manila should assert the country's territorial rights in the South China Sea. That includes military action, such as naval patrols. 

Meanwhile, China engages in coercive behavior ranging from the use of water cannons to the deliberate ramming of Philippine ships. In the view of the Philippines' leader, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, China's behavior amounts to "illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions which continue to violate our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdictions." 

Security Concerns

President Marcos made his remarks during a keynote speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, the region's eminent security forum. It was attended by many senior military figures and politicians, including Japan's Minister of Defense, Minoru Kihara.

President Marcos has made a concerted effort to consolidate ties with both Japan and the United States. In April, he joined a historic summit with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and US President Joe Biden in Washington. On that occasion, the three leaders made a declaration. They are "equal partners and trusted friends, united by the vision we share of a free and open Indo-Pacific and international order based on international law."

In Singapore, President Marcos acknowledged China's growing influence in Southeast Asia. He added that the "stabilizing presence of the US is important."

China Meets America

The Shangri-la Dialogue provided a forum for a face-to-face meeting between the US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart, Dong Jun. According to the US Department of Defense, Austin raised concerns about Chinese "coercion" against the Philippines.

This elicited a fierce response from Admiral Dong, who claimed that the Philippines had "acted treacherously and provocatively." He added that China strongly objects to America equipping the Philippines with a missile launch system. That system, he said, poses "a real threat to regional security." 

President Marcos insisted that China was the party ratcheting up the tension in the region. He asserted the right of the region's countries to determine their own future.

"I do not intend to yield. Filipinos do not yield," he said.

Shared Concerns

In his address to the Shangri-La conference, Japan's Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said that his government intends to expand its network of security partnerships. Meanwhile, he affirmed that Japan is strengthening its own defense capabilities.

"Cross-border risks are on the rise as competition among nations intensifies," he said. He then noted, "No country can ensure its own security alone."

Japan has agreed to fund the construction of five large patrol ships for the Philippine Coast Guard. These vessels will join two craft constructed at Mitsubishi's Shimonoseki shipyard that were delivered in 2022.

Don McLain Gill, a geopolitical analyst based in Manila, believes that Japan's support for the Philippines fits well with its foreign policy objectives. 

He told Naval News: "Japan's National Security Strategy seeks to position itself as a key security provider in the Indo-Pacific. This reflects Tokyo's realization of the need to do more to ensure the stability of the region amidst growing revisionist and expansionist forces, particularly China and North Korea." 

Tension Over Taiwan 

China and America used the conference in Singapore to reiterate their positions on Taiwan. Lloyd Austin expressed concern about China's "provocative" military activity around the Taiwan Strait.

Referring to the recent inauguration of Taiwan's President, Lai Ching-te, Austin reiterated that China "should not use Taiwan's political transition – part of a normal, routine democratic process – as a pretext for coercive measures."

Admiral Dong Jun used much of his question-and-answer session at the conference to stake his country's claim on Taiwan. He spoke strongly against what he described as Taiwanese separatism. Mentioning "resolute actions," he threatened to curb any move toward the island's independence. He even warned of "self-destruction" for those who dare keep the territory and China apart.

Dong also urged the US to correct its mistakes, adhere to the one-China principle, and not in any way assist "independence" through military means.

Simultaneous Crises

The grave prospect of a military clash over Taiwan, escalating into war, appeared to be on the mind of Defense Minister Kihara. "Unfortunately, it must be said that the risk of multiple, simultaneous crises and accidental clashes across regions has increased significantly in recent years," he said in his address to the Singapore meeting.

"We cannot rule out the possibility that an incident in the region could occur in the future and shake the foundation of the international order," he added. 

Kihara had a 50-minute one-to-one meeting with Admiral Dong. He called the talks "a very important opportunity for dialogue." 

Then he also had a fruitful discussion with his South Korean counterpart, Shin Won-sik. The pair said their countries would strengthen their bilateral defense relationship, including measures for operational safety and lines of communication. 

This went down well with Lloyd Austin. "I welcome this important announcement by Japan and the Republic of Korea. And I applaud the historic leadership by Minister Kihara and Minister Shin. Stronger bilateral cooperation between each of our countries helps advance trilateral cooperation," he said. 

The three defense ministers discussed how best to move forward with Japan's enhanced plan for a free and open Indo-Pacific. Regarding Taiwan, they emphasized their strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force. Peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, they noted, is an indispensable element of international security and prosperity.

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Author: Duncan Bartlett, Diplomatic Correspondent
Mr Bartlett is the Diplomatic Correspondent for JAPAN Forward and a Research Associate at the SOAS China Institute. Read his other articles and essays.