The geopolitics of South China Sea: An analysis of the Philippines-Vietnam agreement in the wake of Chinese assertiveness.
- South Asian Journal of Socio-Political Studies
- 25(1), Jul-Dec, 2024: p.10-15
In January 2024, while Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam on a state visit, the two countries signed agreements on 'Incident prevention' and 'Maritime cooperation' towards the South China Sea security, marking a significant step towards bilateral cooperation between Philippines and Vietnam to achieve common objectives and counter common challenges in the region. The agreements are intended to improve cooperation among their coastguards through joint military exercises, drills, and training to prevent illegal activities in the disputed waters and advance regional peace, security, and order. Both Southeast Asian states are members of the ‘Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) and have competing claims over the territories of the South China Sea (SCS). Philippines-Vietnam joining their hands to boost their collective defense targeted at the disputed South China Sea and advocating for amicable negotiations and engagement to settle the differences will have a long-term impact on the region. Vietnam has committed to provide the Philippines with up to 2 million tonnes of white rice as part of the agreement, which also seeks to strengthen commercial relations between the two nations. This paper examines the agreements' geopolitical ramifications and significance to balance Chinese assertiveness in the disputed region, and its regional implications.- Reproduced
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South China sea, Maritime cooperation, ASEAN, Cost guards UNCLOS.