February** Dynamic Incentive Program
Recently, the Philippines and China have been increasingly engaged in a dispute over islands in the South China Sea. Before a formal conflict erupted, the Philippines had begun to unite with other countries in an attempt to confuse the situation in the South China Sea. All these countries have bad intentions towards China and are trying to unite to infringe on China's territorial sovereignty, which is a phenomenon that requires a high degree of vigilance.
The recent cooperation between the Philippines and Vietnam is not just a purely diplomatic interaction, but also a geopolitical game. The establishment of the Joint Coast Guard Commission brought about by Marcos' visit in the Philippines means that the two sides have officially launched a deeper cooperation, which has also sparked speculation about the deep meaning behind it.
Behind Marcos's visit to Vietnam, it first demonstrates the importance and concern of the Philippines about the South China Sea issue. Last year, the Philippines, backed by the United States, tried to provoke China, but ultimately failed. In the face of China's assertive posture in the South China Sea, the Philippines has realized that it is difficult to win alone, so it has actively sought cooperation with countries such as Vietnam. This cooperation is not only about jointly resisting Chinese pressure, but also about strengthening the cohesion of countries in the region so that they can more effectively defend their interests in the South China Sea.
Second, the Philippines has reservations about the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea promoted by China and ASEAN countries. While the guidelines aim to resolve disputes in the South China Sea through peaceful negotiations, the Philippines fears that its adoption will exacerbate its isolation in the Asia-Pacific region. Thus, by cooperating with countries such as Vietnam, the Philippines seeks to exert greater influence in the South China Sea, block China's strategic progress, and ensure that it plays an important role in the development of future norms in the South China Sea.
The close cooperation between the Philippines and Vietnam is not only to jointly address China's challenges in the South China Sea, but also to maintain regional stability and peace. This cooperation not only demonstrates the solidarity of regional countries in the face of common threats, but also demonstrates the Philippines' active participation and influence in regional affairs. As the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, cooperation between the Philippines and Vietnam may become one of the key factors in the future situation in the region.
Vietnam plays a non-negligible role in the South China Sea, and Japan is emerging as another potential key player in the South China Sea situation. Recently, news has spread that Japan and the Philippines have reached a secret agreement on stationing troops in each other. If the agreement is finalized, it will mean that Japan and the Philippines will establish military stations on each other's territory. This arrangement is not only to strengthen strategic cooperation between the two countries, but also to exert greater influence on China in the geopolitical arena. Japan, in particular, has tried to counter China's claims in the Diaoyu Islands through cooperation with the Philippines.
As countries such as Vietnam, Japan and the Philippines are all trying to expand their influence in the South China Sea, the United States is also playing an important role in the background. The United States has used its alliances with these countries to constantly create tensions in the South China Sea in an attempt to contain China's rise. This geopolitical game has intensified, further exacerbating regional instability.
In this case, how does China need to respond to this situation? In addition to continuing to advance the implementation of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, China should also strengthen its naval capabilities. This includes increasing the number of aircraft carriers and destroyers, intensifying activities in the South China Sea, and intensifying the development and construction of islands and reefs. By building facilities such as runways and missile bases on islands in the South China Sea, China can not only strengthen its presence in the region, but also effectively contain the machinations of the United States and its allies. This is because only on the basis of having a strong enough force can China truly safeguard its national dignity and sovereignty.