South China Sea: Is the Philippines becoming a gateway for the West’s Indo-Pacific interests?
“New Zealand shares the same objective of supporting the Philippines’ Hague ruling,” Cabalza said, referring to the international tribunal that ruled in favour of Manila in its maritime dispute with China, invalidating Beijing’s nine-dash-claim over the South China Sea – an outcome China has rejected.
“Wellington, along with 13 other countries, had been an observer in the past Balikatan exercises with Manila. Given that strategic direction, there is no stopping block for New Zealand as a strategic partner of the Philippines,” Cabalza said.
The Philippines’ inclusion under Pegase 24 – a yearly French Air and Space Force mission to the Indo-Pacific to demonstrate air power projection – is the latest in several moves by Paris to build closer security ties with Manila since military cooperation discussions began in December.
“Paris’ interest in Manila’s military modernisation grew when it offered assistance on its submarine programme and supported its maritime rules-based advocacy as an Indo-Pacific power,” Cabalza said.
This year, a contingent of French aircraft will land at Clark Airbase, a former US military base 93km northwest of Manila.
France’s ambassador to the Philippines, Marie Fontanel, said on Jul 12 that the mission was meant to illustrate the country’s commitment to upholding the freedom of navigation “as essential to keeping an open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region”.
Italy’s decision to include the Philippines in its Indo-Pacific itinerary was a “new addition to the strings of Western major powers to recognise the Philippines’ growing diplomatic network destined to safeguard democratic values at sea”, according to Cabalza.
With Asia remaining an essential trade route for Europe – 40 per cent of its foreign trade flows through the South China Sea – countries in the West would share concerns over potential disruptions in the sea lines of communication and flashpoints in the region, said Lucio Blanco Pitlo III, a research fellow at the Asia-Pacific Pathways to Progress Foundation.
“Europe has huge stakes in seeing the region’s security and prosperity and is keen to see unfettered access to critical waterways and peaceful resolution of disputes,” he said.
“Italy, the host of this year’s G7 summit, is the only member of the club of wealthy countries to come up with its own strategy towards the region,” he added.
