Philippines Considers New Arbitration Case Against China Over South China Sea Disputes

According to experts, the Philippines is considering filing a new arbitration case against China over ongoing disputes in the South China Sea. This development comes as the Philippines bolsters its military ties with the United States and India to counter China's growing influence in the region.

The 11th Philippines-United States Bilateral Strategic Dialogue (BSD) recently concluded in Washington D.C., with both countries issuing a joint statement emphasizing the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. The Philippines and the United States strongly opposed the use of force that infringes on any country's territorial integrity or political independence.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has taken a pro-US stance and is seen as a key figure on South China Sea issues. Under his leadership, the Philippines has become a more influential actor in the Indo-Pacific region, driven by transformative national security, defense, and foreign relations policies.

As part of its military modernization efforts, the Philippines has received its first batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles from India. Observers say this marks the start of a clear push to expand military sales with Southeast Asia. The Philippines has also taken delivery of a state-of-the-art missile system from India and is expecting $2.5 billion in US military aid.

The annual joint military exercises between the Philippines and the US, known as Balikatan, will be the biggest yet in 2024 and are seen as a clear signal to Beijing. The Philippines has detected over 120 Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea since the military drills commenced, further escalating regional tensions.

Why this matters: The potential new arbitration case and the Philippines' growing military partnerships with the US and India have significant implications for the balance of power in the South China Sea. These developments could escalate tensions with China and reshape the geopolitical landscape in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Philippines faces challenges in managing an internal peace process and harnessing its economic and demographic potential to support its military modernization goals. The country's location at the center of contested geopolitical fault lines, particularly in the South China Sea, has resulted in heightened tensions with China, which has escalated its maritime aggression in Philippine waters.

Experts say the Philippines' actions and military cooperation with the US and India are aimed at countering China's influence in the region. "The Philippines is a strategically important country in the Indo-Pacific region, but its influence has been limited due to socioeconomic struggles and internal instability," said one analyst. "However, under President Ferdinand Marcos, the Philippines has become a more influential actor, driven by transformative national security, defense, and foreign relations policies."

Key Takeaways

• Philippines considering new arbitration case against China over South China Sea disputes.
• Philippines bolstering military ties with the US and India to counter China's regional influence.
• Philippines receives BrahMos missiles from India, $2.5B in US military aid, and expects largest Balikatan exercises.
• Potential new arbitration cases and military partnerships could escalate tensions with China in the Indo-Pacific.
• Philippines faces challenges in managing internal issues while asserting its influence in the region.