Newsletter Issue 6, sr. 2021

The late former President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines. Son of Philippine democracy icons late senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and the late former President Cory Aquino, the Philippines under the second Aquino administration gained international respect for standing up to China's aggression not through a show of force or compromising foreign policies, but through the rule of law. Picture retrieved from CNN.

From the Editors

 

Much has happened in the last month.

 

President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, colloquially known as "Noynoy" and whose administration initiated the Arbitral proceedings against China under UNCLOS, has passed away last Thursday, June 24. FNI stands together with the country in mourning the passing of the former president. Despite its shortcomings, the initiatives of President Aquino's government contributed much to where the Philippines stands today, even equally confronting China before international law.

 

Not far from the issue of China, Beijing continues to test the patience of regional powers. It had, at one point, issued a warning that small groups (referring to the Group of 7 or G7) do not run world politics. US President Joe Biden is also not backing down by taking a snipe at Chinese firms as trade relations between the two major economies incrementally escalate. The possibility of Europe joining the US to economically compete against China remains an open-ended question and does not have an iron-clad outlook.

 

However, the case isn't the same of China in South China Sea. Various Southeast Asian countries are methodically increasing their maritime domain engagements against China, especially Malaysia and Vietnam. Foreign Affairs Secretary Locsin, echoing President Duterte's speech at the UN, weighed on the arbitral ruling with finality. These unfortunately have not deterred China, as various reports show record-high numbers of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea - and China seems determined not to back down despite garnering international condemnation for its behavior in the seas.

 

We thank our partners and supporters: 

PAMANA, or the Philippine Archipelagic & Maritime Nation Alliance, is a newly-formed coalition of citizens and stakeholders committed to marine policy reform aimed at improved governance of the Philippines' seas and waters. PAMANA believes that better management and protection of the Philippines' maritime sector will enhance the food and economic benefits derived from our waters, and open vast opportunities in the country's blue economy. PAMANA stands with every Filipino in helping advance the country's national interests by progressing key national reforms, starting with the enactment of the Maritime Zones law, which defines the Philippine waters' geographical extent and clarifies its maritime zones.

 

For more inquiries on PAMANA, you may submit your contact so that representatives will reach out: https://forms.gle/6fuEc83MiHkdDjts9

FNI holds inaugural first EconSecurity Talks webinar with Dr. Parks on China's foreign lending

 

 

Last June 25, FNI sat down with Dr. Bradley Parks to explore China's foreign lending activities abroad. 

 

The EconSecurity Talks is FNI's first webinar on economic and security issues. A copy of Dr. Parks' report on China's foreign lending is available online and may be downloaded from the webpage.

 

 
Read more

This month from the Philippine Strategic Forum

Philippine Marine's New Warfighting Paradigm: The Archipelagic Coastal Defense

 

Danilo T. Facundo

 

"The Philippine Marine Corps... is gradually veering away from old traditional land-centric warfare to its new operating concept dubbed as Archipelagic Coastal Defense... This paradigm shift is just timely as tensions are now increasing caused by other claimant countries' posturing of hybrid military capabilities in our exclusive economic zone," starts Facundo.

Karagatan Observer: June 2021

June has seen a continuation of both positive and negative trends. In a month that celebrates the 123rd anniversary of Philippine independence, commemorates the 46th diplomatic anniversary with China, and mourns the death of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, Filipinos continued to debate how the country should best defend and assert its sovereignty.

Read More

Maritime News Across the Region

Silence persists between Manila and Beijing as territorial disagreements continue to unravel while celebrating 46 years of bilateral relations. Various Filipinos continue to call on Duterte to protect the Philippines' national interest in the seas. Regionally, Taiwan is likely be a hot topic in the coming months for two reasons: US's continuing regional presence and the 100th founding anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party this July 2021. In the meantime, US-PH relations is saved from the chopping block; but for how long? The ball, so to speak, is now in Duterte's court.

The Philippines and the US

 

VFA 'improved,' now up for Duterte's decision, says PH envoy to US

Duterte tells US to explain inaction in Panatag standoff before discussing VFA

Fate of VFA hangs as Duterte awaits US explanation on Scarborough deal

 

Duterte holds off VFA abrogation for another 6 months

The Visiting Forces Agreement and the Future of U.S.-Philippine Relations

US State Dept't OKs possible sale of fighter jets, missiles to PH - Pentagon

The Philippines and China

 

The 1734 Murillo Velarde Map

PH, China hold diplomatic anniversary talks to reaffirm 46 years of relations

China is Duterte's tool, not the other way around

 

The South China Sea

 

Malaysia scrambles jets to intercept Chinese military planes

Lorenzana welcomes UK freedom of navigation ops in South China Sea

Low cost, sub-killer swarms raise fears

 

Malaysia speaks against Chinese moves in South China Sea in a rare public reaction

'Push Duterte to fight for West PH Sea' - Carpio

South China Sea: Philippines should legislate 'gains' of arbitral win, group says

 

AFP chief visits Pag-asa Island, eyes more projects

The New Navy Chief is an astute strategist who will defend West Philippine Sea

Eyes on China as British Aircraft Carrier Group heads to South Sea for military drill

 

China, ASEAN promise best efforts to adopt Code of Conduct in the South China Sea

Arbitral award on South China Sea 'final' - Locsin

South China Sea rivals agree to set up hotline 'to cope with emergencies '

The West Philippine Sea

 

Why the West Philippine Sea is important to Filipinos - A fisheries perspective

BRP Antonio Luna deployed to maiden mission in Palawan

Duterte orders review of Jardeleza proposal on Baselines Law

 

Freedom Day brings more power to outpost asserting PH sovereignty

2021 Filipino Marine Scientists conclude WPS Summer Expeditions

Trillanes presses PH to work with ASEAN to address WPS dispute

 

Duterte violates Constitution for failure to defend sovereignty in WPS - Carpio

More than 100 additional ships detected in WPS - report

The Region: ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific

 

Sri Lanka braces for environmental disaster as a fire-damaged container ship sinks

China says military flight off Malaysia was 'routine training'

Chinese Aircraft Approaching! An Opportunity for Malaysian Airpower

 

Chinese warplanes near Malaysia 'aimed at showing dominance'

Why Biden has been a disappointment to Southeast Asia so far

 

ASEAN, China agree to exercise self-restraint, avoid disputes in South China Sea

 

US, Japan deepen ties with Taiwan, China in tight spot

Indo-Pacific: The front line of US and China next-gen submarines

Philippines holds meeting with Indonesia on maritime oceans and ocean concerns

 

Concerns grow over China's Taiwan plans

China outraged after Japanese PM calls Taiwan 'country'

A New Height of ASEAN-China Relations? Not Quite, Not Yet

 

Asia must follow Japan in fighting against Chinese regional aggression

Vietnam expands maritime militia off southern coast

China sends largest-ever number of warplanes near Taiwan

 

Peter Dutton flags more US troops on Australian soil citing potential China conflict

USS Curtis Wilbur sails through Taiwan Strait

China condemns latest US warship transit of Taiwan Strait

 

Taiwan's foreign minister says 'we need to prepare' for military conflict with China

China's Vaccine Diplomacy in Southeast Asia - A Mixed Record

US touts Taiwan 'porcupine' strategy to thwart Chinese threat

 

China unlikely to try seizing Taiwan in next 2 years: top US general

Japan urges Europe to have stronger military presence in Asia to tackle China

(COLUMN) For Taiwan, China vaccines and geopolitics spark perfect storm

 

Others

 

Sri Lanka braces for environmental disaster as fire-damaged container ship sinks

Biden expands blacklist of Chinese firms off-limits to US investors

2nd batch of Blackhawks delivered

 

PH foreign trade doubles in April

Message of SFA Locsin on the Occassion of World Oceans Day

Coast Guard intensifies coastal patrol, sails floating food banks in Palawan

 

China cautions G7: 'small' groups don't rule the world

ANALYSIS: Biden pushes China threat at G7 and NATO, but European leaders tread carefully

NATO statement on China goes 'much further' than prior language, expert says

 

China's submarine salvage operation for Indonesia: A double-edged sword?

PH gears for establishment of engineering R&D center

Navy eyes Catanduanes as base to guard Benham Rise

 

Defence Mobilisation Planning Comparative Study: An Examination of Overseas Planning

'Misleading': DENR punches holes in study tagging Pasig River as top source of plastic pollution in oceans

FNI thanks its partners for the support for the newsletter. Partnership has no influence on contents.

 

You received this email because you signed up for the newsletter from the Kwentong Mandaragat registration.

 

Share this newsletter!

Share on FacebookShare on X (Twitter)Share on Pinterest

This email was created with Wix.‌ Discover More