Sino-American Competition in the Philippines: Issues and Insights

Recent developments in the Philippines have placed the country in the middle of a Sino-American great power rivalry. In June 2024, tensions flared between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea (SCS) when pictures came out of the Chinese Coast Guard threatening Filipino crew with knives and spears near the Second Thomas Shoal. These actions, together with the latest assertiveness of China in the region have led to concerns towards the possibility of armed conflict. Meanwhile, the Philippines has been enhancing its defense partnership with the US, deepening scopes for military usage and staging joint drills.