Newsletter Issue 7, sr. 2021

President Duterte held his final State of the Nation address, last 26 July 2021. Photograph by PCOO.

From the Editors

 

July is brimmed with news of highs and lows.

 

At the 100th anniversary celebration of the Chinese Communist Party, Xi Jinping renewed his stake on the island of Taiwan, claiming to be a "historic mission" of paramount importance. China is testing the waters by renewing threats on Taiwan; both the U.S. and Japan have mounted concerns over China's increasing resolve to take the island.

 

Major powers are likewise taking big risks in engaging in the South China Sea disputes. Siding seemingly with China, Russia undertook similar tones condemning British freedom of navigation operations in the Black Sea, expected to make headways toward the disputed region. HMS Queen Elizabeth's Carrier Strike Group entered the South China Sea on the 24th. Germany also held a dialogue with China early July urging the Asian giant to uphold the Arbitration award.

 

The 12th of July marked the fifth anniversary of the Philippines' victory at the International Court of Arbitration. Despite this, President Duterte remains steadfast in pursuing cordial ties with Beijing. However, news of a thin silver lining emerged towards the end of the month. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held a tour of Southeast Asia, mainly Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Secretary Austin held a week-long tour of the three countries reinforcing U.S. commitment to ASEAN. After a careful one-on-one with President Duterte on the eve of 29 July, the Visiting Forces Agreement was spared from the chopping block.

 

We thank our partners and supporters: 

You are cordially invited to a public webinar titled "EU-ASEAN Dialogue: What does the Strategic Partnership mean for EU-ASEAN Relations?" hosted by the EU Policy and Outreach Partnership ASEAN and the EU Mission to ASEAN.

 

The webinar will be held on 12 August 2021, 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, Philippine Standard Time, via Zoom. The form will be accepting registration entries until 10 August 2021, 11:59 PM. To register, kindly visit here.

[PRESS RELEASE] FNI and UP IMLOS launches Primer on PH Maritime Zones

 

 

The Foundation for the National Interest together with the University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea launched a publication titled "Working Together To Secure Our Seas: A Primer on Philippine Maritime Zones," authored by seasoned diplomat, retired Ambassador Gilberto Asuque via Zoom last 29 July 2021.

 

Copy of the Primer is available here.

 
Read more

This month from the Philippine Strategic Forum

Colonialism and Debt of Gratitude: Framing the US and China in Duterte's Foreign Policy Discourses

 

Enrico Gloria

 

For the President's final SONA lasting two hours and 46 minutes, the longest address of all the six he has delivered, the goal was to rationalize the success of the Duterte administration despite criticisms and realities on the ground. With the 2022 presidential elections just around the corner, Duterte's SONA was also an opportunity to solidify positive discourses surrounding his leadership as he sets the agenda for his legacy to prevail beyond his administration.

Karagatan Observer: July 2021

July has been filled with big events affecting Philippine defense, security, and foreign policy such as the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party, the 75th anniversary of ties between the Philippines and the United States (U.S.)., the 5th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitration Award, the last State of the Nation Address by President Duterte, and the restoration of the Visiting Forces Agreement.

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 West Philippine Sea

 

Coast Guard's BRP Cabra shoos away 7 Chinese, Vietnamese vessels

Radio challenges vs China, foreign ships are proof PH can assert claim sans war - Hontiveros

Five years after arbitral ruling, China's presence around PH only growing

 

Pangilinan: West PH Sea resources answer to hunger, poverty and brownouts

Robredo marks 5th year of arbitration win vs. China: Fight for rights in West PH Sea

China marks intrusion in PH EEZ with most unsavory waste - poop

Civil society groups call for unified action on West Philippine Sea

 

Statement of the SND on the anniversary of the Award on the South China Sea Arbitration

Sudden Coast Guard deployment to patrol in West PH Sea 'election-related' - UP maritime law expert

Govt' to probe reported dumping of waste by Chinese ships in West PH Sea

 

Group tells Masinloc mayor: Stand up for Zambales fishers

(1/2) Lorenzana says China 'doesn't want confrontation' with PH civilian ship

(2/2) Chinese ships now easy to drive away from PH waters

The South China Sea

 

US: Fifth Anniversary of the Arbitral Tribunal Ruling on the South China Sea 

AUS: Marking the 5th Anniversary of the South China Sea Arbitral Award

After Black Sea Encounter, British FONOP in the South China Sea Quite Possible

Time for ASEAN minilateralism on Myanmar and territorial disputes in the South China Sea

 

UK warship enters South China Sea despite Chinese warnings

China operating military fights from South China Sea bases: Report

 

The Philippines and the US

 

Duterte lauds 75 years of PH-US ties

US delivers P48.5M in weapons, munitions to PH

Duterte cancels order to terminate VFA with US

The Philippines and China

 

'Sleeping dragon no more': Duterte trusts China to defend what is good, justice for all

The Region: ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific

 

SEA nations may need to pick a side as US-China rivalry intensifies

'Neutral tayo': Duterte on his ties with US, China

 

France, South Pacific nations to combat 'predatory' fishing as China extends reach

Top US official begins Asia tour stressing denuclearization of Korean Peninsula

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Participates in Fullerton Lecture Series in Singapore

Others

 

The Bear is Back? Russia's Return to Southeast Asia

Mainland Chinese magazine outlines how surprise attack on Taiwan could occur

China is building a sprawling network of missile silos, satellite imagery appears to show

CCP mouthpiece announces addition of powerful new destroyer to Chinese navy

 

Report to US Congress on Chinese Naval Modernization

Deputy PM says Japan must defend Taiwan with U.S.

Chinese warplane enters Taiwan's air defence zone, 4th incursion this month

China threatens to nuke Japan if country intervenes in Taiwan conflict

 

Austin: US doesn't want conflict with China but won't 'flinch when our interests are threatened'

'Taiwan is Taiwan': House Motion Bans Map Showing Island as Part of China

AFP Modernization Makes Slow but Steady Strides

 

French firm commits P1.5B investment for shipyard project in PHL - DTI

Firm to spend P988M for oil, gas exploration in BARMM

Coast Guard to receive 2 new vessels in 2022

1st of PCG's 2 biggest vessels comes to life in Japan

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