Cooperation needed as China won’t back down – experts

MANILA, Philippines — With no end in sight to China’s aggressive actions in regional waters which it supports with disinformation, neighboring nations and allies that follow the rule of law should respond by further strengthening their cooperation and partnerships.

This was the consensus among participants of a forum on Japan-Philippines strategic cooperation last Friday organized by the Stratbase Institute.

“If like-minded countries will cooperate against China, if all of us could enhance the level (of cooperation) against China, the cost on China will be so much. That means China will feel larger costs if they continue to adopt its aggressive attitude towards us,” China studies expert and University of Tokyo professor Dr. Shin Kawashima said.

Beijing, he said, is expected to continue pursuing its policy of intimidation and spreading of disinformation and false narratives in asserting its illegal claims in the West Philippine Sea, Senkaku Islands and Taiwan.

“China will not stop their operations. Maybe they will slow down temporarily but from a long-term view, China will not stop, especially given their strong strategy to go beyond the First Island Chain,” he said.

The Chinese, through its coast guard, escalated tensions in 2024 by firing water cannons at Philippine vessels, ramming some of them and aiming military-grade laser at their crew.

In one instance, China coast guard crew even boarded a Philippine boat and destroyed its navigational and communications equipment.

In Japan, approximately 1,300 Chinese government ships swarmed the waters surrounding the Senkaku Islands, marking a record high for the third consecutive year.

In the same year, over 3,000 Chinese military aircraft breached Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone, setting another new record.

Kawashima said the severity of China’s possible future actions in the WPS will depend on the response of the incoming Trump administration.

“China will experiment with the Trump administration’s attitude, whether it will be hard line or soft line. If the Trump administration adopts a soft attitude, China will enact more aggressive policies,” he explained.

Stratbase president Dindo Manhit, for his part, highlighted the strategic importance of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between the Philippines and Japan, which was ratified by the Philippine Senate on Dec. 16.

“The RAA sends a resounding message that the Philippines and Japan will stand resolute in the Indo-Pacific. It is crucial for the Philippines and like-minded partners, such as Japan, to deepen strategic cooperation to uphold peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific,” he pointed out.

“Fortunately, our leaders are more engaged than ever, actively participating in dialogue, open to new agreements and committed to forging partnerships that strengthen collective efforts in addressing regional threats,” Manhit said.

The RAA aims to strengthen the cooperation between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Self-Defense Forces of Japan, including by allowing the Self-Defense Forces of Japan to engage in advanced training alongside Philippine and US forces, particularly during Balikatan, Kamandag and Sama-Sama exercises.

Japanese Ambassador Enzo Kazuya said Japan is determined to unlock the full potential of its relationship with the Philippines.

“Once the RAA comes into effect, our level of cooperation will enter a new phase. We will continue to fortify our security and defense cooperation with allies and like-minded partners such as the US and Australia, sending a powerful message of our unwavering commitment to regional peace and stability, anchored on the rule of law,” Kazuya said.

Stronger resolve

Meanwhile, the National Security Council (NSC) vowed to further strengthen the resolve to protect and preserve the nation’s sovereignty in the WPS, following results of an OCTA Research survey, which said 84 percent of Filipinos strongly support the national government’s efforts to assert its maritime rights.

“We will continue to emphasize sustainable fishing practices, marine conservation and the protection of all economic activities in the WPS, especially those of our fishermen,” National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said in a statement.

Año noted that “the unity and awareness shown by Filipinos across all regions, socio-economic classes and both rural and urban areas are vital as we continue to address these challenges.”

The national security adviser also said that such affirmation from the people reflects a shared commitment to protect the national sovereignty and territorial integrity and demonstrates a clear and widespread understanding of the issue’s importance.

“With 91 percent of Filipinos aware of the ongoing territorial disputes, it is evident that the public is not only informed but also united in supporting the country’s efforts to defend its rights and interests in the WPS,” he added.

Año stressed that in this context, it is essential to highlight that the Philippine government is acting in full accordance with both domestic and international law.

“The Philippine Maritime Zones Law and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Law provide the legal framework through which the government asserts control over our maritime zones and secures the rights of our people,” he declared.

“These laws are aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which decisively rejected claims inconsistent with Philippine sovereignty in the South China Sea, affirming our rights to the waters, islands and resources within the West Philippine Sea. This ruling is binding under international law and remains a cornerstone of our position,” Año said.