Chen Zinan, Assistant Researcher, Maritime Strategy Studies, CICIR
May 08, 2021
The rhetoric of the United States is designed to stoke fear and amp up tensions so that it can more easily form an alliance against China. Playing up the threat theory, however, only shows helplessness as China exercises its maritime rights.
Ramses Amer, Associated Fellow, Institute for Security & Development Policy, Sweden
Li Jianwei, Director and Research Fellow, National Institute for South China Sea Studies
May 06, 2021
More efforts are needed by China and the Philippines to relieve tensions over the presence of Chinese vessels. Variables such as a mutual defense treaty with the United States and the coming presidential election in the Philippines are possible inflection points.
Richard Javad Heydarian, Professorial Chairholder in Geopolitics, Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Jun 07, 2020
President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to advocate for online Chinese casinos despite their affiliated risks has exacerbated anti-Chinese sentiment among the Philippine people. He may have to reform his support of the industry, lest he face the deterioration of his long-cultivated friendship with Beijing.
Richard Javad Heydarian, Professorial Chairholder in Geopolitics, Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Mar 13, 2020
Duterte’s decision to cut ties with the US exposes the Philippines to many geopolitical threats and represents a strategic victory for Beijing in the region.
Lucio Blanco Pitlo III, President of Philippine Association for Chinese Studies, and Research Fellow at Asia-Pacific Pathways to Progress Foundation
Jan 17, 2020
Beneath the surface of improving political ties lie persistent concerns over Chinese strategic investments in the Philippines.
Richard Javad Heydarian, Professorial Chairholder in Geopolitics, Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Dec 28, 2019
Philippine president Duterte and the US-trained Philippine military have long been at war concerning the country’s amicability with China. Now, a Beijing-friendly official has come into power in the coast guard, tipping the balance in Duterte’s favor.
Richard Javad Heydarian, Professorial Chairholder in Geopolitics, Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Oct 11, 2019
If China’s dismal and declining approval ratings are any indication, the Philippine people are fast losing confidence in Duterte’s Beijing-friendly diplomacy, instead favoring a tougher approach to the South China Sea disputes.
Richard Javad Heydarian, Professorial Chairholder in Geopolitics, Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Sep 26, 2019
The recent move by the Philippine government to allow the Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company to become the nation’s third telecommunications provider is yet another major step made by the Duterte administration to display its loyalty to Beijing – and another step towards untethering longstanding ties with the U.S.
Peng Nian, Director of Research Centre for Asian Studies, China
Aug 29, 2019
At President Xi Jinping’s invitation, President Duterte of the Philippines will visit China this month, as relations warm between the two countries. While opposition voices in the Philippines warn of undue Chinese influence, the visit offers both leaders an opportunity to continue to promote economic cooperation, stability and peace.
Richard Javad Heydarian, Professorial Chairholder in Geopolitics, Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Aug 23, 2019
Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has sent mixed signals about how he will pursue his country’s South China Sea arbitration award against China in 2016, and his recent rhetoric promising to take a tougher stance on China may not come to fruition.