Sea dispute will be growing challenge for Philippines

Significance China, Taiwan and a handful of South-east Asian countries, including the Philippines, have competing claims in the South China Sea. The US-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) is a restraining factor regarding Chinese assertiveness towards the Philippines. Impacts China’s use of grey-zone tactics is unlikely to bring the MDT into play. Occasional flare-ups may occur between China and the other South-east Asian claimants over fishing rights and offshore energy activities. The South-east Asian claimants will defend their sovereign rights and avoid negotiating joint development projects with China.