The Philippines is slowly but surely pushing back against China in the disputed South China Sea, a reflection of revived strategic relations with the United States and a rising need to secure new indigenous energy sources amid an impending economic crisis. Duterte has lobbied for co-ownership of disputed resources through joint exploration and development projects with China, which has lauded his approach as a prudent and steady way to manage the disputes.
China’s growing assertiveness in the sea amid the ongoing pandemic, including ramped up naval exercises in contested areas, seems to have torpedoed previous Beijing-Manila efforts towards a resource-sharing deal.
0 Comments