China has ramped up its pressure on the Philippines, demanding the country concede its sovereign rights in the South China Sea, according to Manila’s Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro. This escalation comes as the Philippines continues to face China’s assertive actions in the disputed waters, particularly in areas claimed by both nations as well as other Southeast Asian countries. The growing tensions were highlighted following a meeting between Teodoro and his Australian counterpart, Richard Marles, in Canberra. The two nations are strengthening their defense ties, with Australia becoming a key partner in countering Chinese activities in the region.
Teodoro described the Philippines as a “victim of Chinese aggression” and reaffirmed that the country would not concede its territorial claims. This follows a series of confrontations in the South China Sea, including a dispute over the Scarborough Shoal, a highly contested area. Recently, China announced that it had defined baselines for “territorial waters” around the shoal, a move that Manila strongly opposed, claiming it violated Philippine sovereignty. The Philippines has also passed new laws to protect its territorial rights, further infuriating China, which has continually expanded its maritime patrols and enforcement measures in the region.
The confrontation between China and the Philippines has sparked international concern. The Philippines, backed by allies such as Australia, has increased its defense spending and participated in joint military exercises to strengthen its stance. Teodoro emphasized that China’s actions contradict international law, particularly following the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which declared China’s claims over most of the South China Sea as illegal. However, Beijing has rejected the ruling, continuing to assert its territorial dominance through maritime militia and a heavy coastguard presence in contested waters.
As both nations prepare for more tensions in the coming months, the Philippines remains committed to bolstering its defense capabilities, with plans to invest at least $33 billion in advanced weaponry. Meanwhile, Australia has pledged to enhance defense cooperation with the Philippines, with an engineering assessment team scheduled to visit next year, signaling a further commitment to regional stability and security in the face of China’s growing maritime ambitions.
