Philippines, New Zealand to Boost Economic, Military Ties
The two countries’ relationship will become a “comprehensive partnership” in 2026, marking sixty years of bilateral ties, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said in Manila today; the countries announced their commitment to boosting security cooperation to monitor illegal fishing and terrorism threats (Bloomberg)
Australia Unveils $32 Million Increase in Defense Spending Over Next Decade
The increase is part of the country’s new national defense strategy, which focuses on responding to a “coercive” China; Australia’s defense minister called the changes “the biggest reassessment of our strategic posture in thirty-five years” (Nikkei)
White House Holds First U.S.-Japan-Philippines Trilateral Summit
Leaders of the United States, Japan, and the Philippines are meeting in Washington today as part of ongoing efforts to deepen military cooperation amid Chinese aggression in the South China Sea; the leaders are also expected to announce a joint infrastructure corridor in the Indo-Pacific that will include ports, rail, and clean energy facilities (Nikkei)
Biden to Express Concern Over China’s Activity in the South China Sea
In this week’s upcoming summits with the Japanese Prime Minister and the Philippine President, President Joe Biden plans to warn China about its aggressive behavior around the Second Thomas Shoal and reinforce U.S. responsibilities under the U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty amidst clashes between China and the Philippines in the area (FT)
India Vows Support for Philippines Amid South China Sea Tensions
India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar pledged to support Philippine sovereignty and help uphold the law of the seas during a visit to Manila; in response, China’s foreign ministry called on the two countries to “respect China’s territorial sovereignty” (The Hindu)
U.S. Secretary of State Praises Expansion of Defense Ties With Philippines
Blinken’s trip to Manila comes as ties between China and the Philippines have grown strained over a series of incidents in the South China Sea; last week, the U.S. Commerce Secretary said U.S. firms are expected to announce more than $1 billion worth of investments in the country (AP)
Australia-ASEAN Summit Statement Calls for Dialogue in South China Sea
Today’s joint statement from a Melbourne summit between Australia and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries called for the peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea; a collision the day earlier between Chinese and Philippine ships underscored ongoing tensions in the area (Bloomberg)
Chinese, Philippine Coast Guard Vessels Collide, Cause Minor Injuries to Filipino Crew
The Philippine foreign ministry demanded the Chinese ship leave the vicinity of the Second Thomas Shoal, also known as the Ayungin Shoal, after referring to its actions as “reckless” and “illegal” (Reuters)
U.S., Thai-Led Indo-Pacific Military Drills Kick Off
Seven countries are the main participants in the forty-third annual Cobra Gold drills, the largest and longest-running joint military drills in Southeast Asia; personnel from a total of thirty countries will participate (Khaosod)
For the first time this year, the drills will include training on aerospace and cyber threats (The Nation)
Australia to Grow Navy to Largest Size Since World War II
Australia plans to increase its number of combat-ready warships from eleven to twenty-six in the coming decade; the country’s defense minister said the $7.2 billion expansion comes amid “an uncertain world in terms of great power contest” (Nikkei)
The Philippines Deploys Warship in South China Sea
A senior navy official said the move was to protect the country’s interests in the disputed sea while also “safeguarding the maritime domain” (Reuters)
Two Chinese Fishermen Drown Following Chase with Taiwan’s Coast Guard
According to the coast guard, the Chinese vessel was trespassing by sailing near Taiwan’s Kinmen Island and capsized as it attempted to flee, resulting in the death of two of the four men aboard (AP)
Indonesian Ruling Party Candidate Claims Victory in Presidential Election
Former General Prabowo Subianto claimed victory based on unofficial tallies of the vote, which suggest he has a strong lead; Subianto currently serves as defense minister in the outgoing Joko Widodo administration and chose Widodo’s eldest son as his running mate (AP)
The election marks twenty-five years since the end of a dictatorship in Indonesia, though Subianto’s own past as a commander during that military regime has sparked statements of concern over the country’s democratic stability (NYT)
Indonesia is the world’s third-largest democracy and a key battleground for U.S. and Chinese influence in Southeast Asia; Subianto has echoed Widodo’s approach by publicly praising both countries (AP)
Indonesia Cancels Plans to Buy Fighter Jets from Qatar
Indonesia canceled plans to buy $790 million worth of used fighter jets from Qatar, a spokesperson for the Indonesian defense ministry said; lawmakers had criticized the decision to buy older jets when it was announced last year (Reuters)
The Philippines Thwarts Cyberattacks, Pinpoints Hackers Based in China
Hackers attempted to breach the websites and email accounts of several Philippine government agencies, including Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Junior’s personal website; among those targeted were the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the National Coast Watch (Reuters)
Meanwhile, China denied its involvement in the cyberattacks, calling the accusations “irresponsible” and “malicious”(Manila Bulletin)
The Philippines and Vietnam Agree To Expand Cooperation in South China Sea
The Philippines and Vietnam signed agreements to boost trade and investment and increase coast guard coordination (ABC)
Canada Signs Military Cooperation Agreement With Philippines
The countries signed a memorandum of understanding in Manila, which the Philippine defense minister said could eventually lead to a troop pact; Canada has supported the Philippines amid increasing Chinese aggression in the South China Sea (Reuters)
Indonesia, Philippines Discuss South China Sea Approach
The leaders of the two countries discussed security concerns regarding the South China Sea and how to strengthen relations between Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries (ASEAN), Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said (Reuters)
U.S., Chinese Officials Hold Military Talks at Pentagon After Hiatus
The two-day meeting marked the resumption of senior military-to-military talks between the countries that were frozen in 2022 amid a period of high bilateral tensions (Reuters)
Beijing and Washington are experiencing a slight thaw in ties after the two countries’ leaders agreed to resume talks late last year (WaPo)
The talks also addressed “repeated [Chinese] harassment against lawfully operating Philippine vessels in the South China Sea,” Chase said, while China’s defense minister said Beijing is willing to pursue healthy and stable military ties based on respect; China urged the United States to reduce its own “provocative actions” in the South China Sea and respect the One China policy that considers Taiwan a part of China (Bloomberg)
The talks came ahead of Taiwan’s presidential and parliamentary elections this Saturday, and U.S.-China maritime consultations slated for the spring (Nikkei)
Nikkei: Philippines Struggles to Pay for Planned Fighter Jet Purchase From U.S.
Washington approved the potential sale of twelve F-16 fighter jets to Manila in 2021, estimated at around $2.4 billion, more than half of the Philippines’ annual defense budget; the steep cost has led officials to study the possibility of buying secondhand planes or getting financial aid from the United States, the Philippine ambassador to the United States told Nikkei (Nikkei)
The new jets were intended to check China’s influence in the South China Sea (CNN)
Beijing Halts Intercepts of U.S., Partner Fighter Jets Following Xi-Biden Meeting
However, the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command noted that Beijing’s behavior toward the Philippines in the Second Thomas Shoal has not changed; Chinese aircraft carried out 180 “risky and coercive” maneuvers over the past two years, the Pentagon said last month (FT)
Philippines: China Used Water Cannons on Civilian Vessels
A national security spokesperson condemned the actions as a “serious escalation” (Nikkei)
China, Philippines Trade Accusations Over South China Sea Collision
The Philippines said China fired water cannons at its military resupply ships and intentionally rammed one vessel; China denied that version of the incident, saying that it responded reasonably to Philippine ships that ignored warnings to turn back in waters that both countries claim near the Second Thomas Shoal (Reuters)
U.S., Philippines Condemn Chinese Water Cannon Assaults on Philippine Boats
Suspected Chinese militia ships reportedly blasted three Philippine fishing vessels with water cannons, causing significant damage, to block them from nearing the disputed Scarborough Shoal (AP)
U.S. and Philippines Begin Joint Patrols in the South China Sea
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the air and sea patrols are intended to boost the militaries’ interoperability and deter aggressive action by Beijing (FT)