Enhances in Manila: Requirement for China to surmount perceived "trust shortage"
Unraveling the Frayed Defense Ties: China-Philippines Relations
SINGAPORE — The Philippines identifies a "credibility gap" as a crucial barrier in improving its rocky defense relationship with China. Although a swift breakthrough in the immediate future appears doubtful, Manila's top defense official, Gilberto Teodoro, voices this concern, echoing sentiments previously expressed by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Shangri-La Dialogue defense conference in Singapore.
"China's actions are becoming more audacious and aggressive," Teodoro said, referencing the South China Sea. He added that China's demonstrations of force are becoming more frequent, and the Philippines is growing accustomed to these activities, but China has expanded the areas where they are taking place.
In an extensive interview on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue meetings, Teodoro discussed the exasperation of dealing with Chinese military counterparts who often adhere strictly to talking points and propaganda. This often reflects an institution that serves the Communist Party leadership.
"I believe my foreign affairs counterparts are making every effort to engage China," he said. "However, on the defense side, what we've noticed is that China needs to bridge a trust and credibility gap."
Teodoro continued, explaining that China continues its activities while attempting to manipulate the narrative that the Philippines' defensive capabilities are inferior to Vietnam's—making it an easy target.
Despite the ongoing tensions, both the United States and the Philippines aim to peacefully deter China, and Teodoro expressed optimism in Washington's security guarantees after meeting Hegseth in Singapore.
The Philippines is one of the most vocal opponents of China's increasing influence in the South China Sea, in contrast to countries like Malaysia, who have adopted a more cautious stance.
"No ASEAN nation faces as much intense activity in multiple spheres from China as the Philippines," Teodoro said.
Reuters reached out to China's defense ministry for comment, but no immediate response was received.
In the past, China has frequently accused the U.S. of creating discord in the region and urged the Philippines to halt provocations in the South China Sea. China claims nearly the entire South China Sea despite overlapping claims by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan. A 2016 international arbitral tribunal ruling declared China's expansive maritime claims unfounded under international law, a decision China refuses to recognize[1].
References:
- China claims South China Sea after ruling overturning Philippines claims, BBC, 12 July 2016. [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36781323]
- South China Sea: Issues at a Glance, Council on Foreign Relations. [https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/south-china-sea-issues-glance]
- South China Sea: What You Need to Know, United States Institute of Peace. [https://www.usip.org/issue-brief/2018/05/south-china-sea-what-you-need-know]
- ASEAN and the South China Sea: An Overview, Congressional Research Service, 23 March 2021. [https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R46984]
- The South China Sea Dispute: Strategic Implications for India, Academic Council on China, November 23, 2020. [https://www.acoc.in/the-south-china-sea-dispute-strategic-implications-for-india/]
- Despite the ongoing war-and-conflicts in the South China Sea, the Philippines, along with the United States, aims to maintain peace through peaceful deterrence, as they navigate the complicated relationship with China.
- Manila's top defense official, Gilberto Teodoro, has expressed concern about China's policy-and-legislation, stating that China needs to bridge a trust and credibility gap in its defense dealings with the Philippines, especially given China's strong Propaganda approach in politics and general news.
