The departure of American military bases from the Philippines has correlated with a noticeable uptick in Chinese assertiveness in contested maritime regions, according to Philippine defense officials. Ignacio Madriaga, DND Undersecretary, indicated that China's bold claims and activities in the South China Sea escalated following the U.S. military's exit, suggesting that the American presence previously acted as a deterrent.
The Philippines, a historically strategic ally of the United States, saw the last of the U.S. bases closed in 1992, ending nearly a century of American military footprint in the archipelago. The downsizing to a rotational American military detail has sparked concerns of increased assertiveness from regional powers, particularly China, whose claims over the vast majority of the South China Sea conflict with several neighboring states.
Recent confrontations have underscored these concerns. Incidents involving Chinese Coast Guard vessels employing aggressive tactics, such as the use of a military-grade laser against a Philippine Coast Guard ship and the ramming of a Philippine resupply boat, have drawn international condemnation and a stern warning from U.S. President Joe Biden, reaffirming the United States' defense commitments to the Philippines under their Mutual Defense Treaty.
The strategic dynamics of the region have prompted Manila to host additional U.S. military bases, now totaling nine under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), aimed at facilitating joint exercises and humanitarian aid operations, albeit not signifying a permanent U.S. military presence.
Meanwhile, China's stance on maritime confrontations has been voiced by Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who called for disputes to be resolved through direct talks and discouraged "camp" confrontations. While not explicitly mentioning the United States, the message arrives amidst heightened tensions and ahead of a potential meeting between the leaders of China and the U.S.
China's approach to maritime governance, as emphasized by Wang Yi, encourages the establishment of crisis communication channels and adheres to obligations under international maritime laws, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This diplomatic overture contrasts with previous years where China has criticized "cliques" and the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy, which casts China as a disruptive force to maritime law and freedom of navigation.
The U.S., despite being a non-signatory to UNCLOS, upholds the convention's principles, advocating for free navigation and opposing China's expansive territorial claims. The Pacific theater remains a complex web of alliances, territorial disputes, and strategic interests, with the Philippines now a focal point in the broader U.S.-China rivalry.
