Richard Javad Heydarian, Professorial Chairholder in Geopolitics, Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Jul 14, 2017
Despite the ruling of the South China Sea arbitration case, the Chinese continue to use the waters in Filipino territory however they please. The Duterte Administration downplayed the ruling in order to try and strengthen economic and strategic ties with China, and the Philippines are paying for it.
Zheng Yu, Professor, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
Jul 12, 2017
it seems that the tough approach on the South China Sea was more a campaign strategy than a policy plan. Like previous administrations, the Trump team sees armed conflict between China and the US as a losing proposition for all sides, and issues of economy, trade and the South China Sea better managed by cooperation than confrontation.
Ian Storey, Senior Fellow, ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute
Jul 12, 2017
For the past 12 months, the waters of the South China Sea have been fairly tranquil. However, long-time, and hence jaded, observers of one of Asia’s most intractable disputes understand the cyclical nature of tensions; and also know that given the unchanging central drivers of the conflict and the absence of collective political will to palliate those drivers and negotiate an equitable solution, periods of calm are invariably followed by strong tempests.
Anni Piiparinen, Associate Director, Atlantic Council
Jul 12, 2017
While Russia’s hybrid warfare tactics have dominated the news cycle since the annexation of Crimea in 2014, China’s activities in the South China Sea have drawn close lessons from the Kremlin’s playbook. Beijing’s embrace of the concept of modern hybrid warfare has been part of the regional power’s calculated bid to blur the lines between ‘war’ and ‘peace’ in pursuit of its maritime sovereignty claims and avoid outright provocation of its rivals – particularly the United States.
Cui Lei, Research Fellow, China Institute of International Studies
Jul 11, 2017
The current fuzzy state of geopolitics in the Asia-Pacific has prompted some middle powers in the region to explore new ties. In the foreseeable future, as long as the US remains in the Asia -Pacific, and China sticks to its peaceful foreign policy, US allies and partners will be reluctant to build informal or formal alliances.
Richard Javad Heydarian, Professorial Chairholder in Geopolitics, Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Jul 10, 2017
After his first year in office, Rodrigo Duterte has arrived at three key realizations: first, it has become increasingly clear he doesn’t have the power to unilaterally shape his country’s defense policy; second is how far he can distance the Philippines from the U.S.; and third, expanding cooperation between the Philippine military and the Pentagon will constrain Duterte’s outreach to China.
Zhao Minghao, Professor, Institute of International Studies, Fudan University, and China Forum Expert.
Jul 04, 2017
Despite some hidden troubles in the relationship, by establishing effective channels of communication, prudently dealing with “provocations” and actively formulating an “agenda of cooperation”, Beijing and Washington have sustained a relationship that could have been swamped in uncertainties in the recent US transfer of power.
Jul 03, 2017
China calls the move a "serious political and military provocation."
Jia Chunyang, Assistant Research Fellow, CICIR
Jun 30, 2017
Both China and the US have begun to deliberate on ways of dealing with each other in the next few decades, and are willing to set a positive course for the future development of bilateral ties over the long term.
Jun 19, 2017
Operations in contested waters continue but are no longer publicised, admiral says