On June 5, Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao reported that during the Shangri-La Dialogue, the U.S. toned down its criticism of China, while Japan and the Philippines' defense ministers clashed openly on the sidelines, reflecting a new regional dynamic: after the U.S. slightly slowed its pace, Japan and the Philippines accelerated their alliance-building. Last month, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited Japan, leading to the upgrade of bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership. The two countries initiated negotiations on a military intelligence agreement, with Japan committing $3.4 billion in investments to be implemented in the Philippines. Concurrently, they advanced cooperation in maritime defense and arms development. The two nations plan to conduct maritime delimitation talks, with overlapping areas covering extensive zones of traditional fishing grounds off eastern Taiwan. Initially, Taiwan's authorities expressed approval of the delimitation process, but later voiced concerns over potential damage to local fishing rights. Stimulated by Japan-Philippines maritime consultations, China's Coast Guard has since launched routine law enforcement patrols in waters east of Taiwan. Coupled with the deepening strategic partnership between the Philippines and Vietnam, issues in the East China Sea, Taiwan Strait, and South China Sea are increasingly interconnected, making the near-seas situation in the Asia-Pacific region ever more complex.
Historically, the groundwork for today’s closer ties between Japan and the Philippines was laid in the 1970s when the Philippines began asserting actual control over areas related to the South China Sea, while Japan steadily increased its defense assistance to Southeast Asia. Over the past decade, Japan-Philippines defense cooperation has evolved from equipment aid to joint military exercises. The first-ever live-fire training by Japanese forces on Philippine soil scheduled for 2026 is a clear manifestation of this progression. Currently, as Sino-U.S. relations have seen a temporary easing and the United States reduces overseas resource commitments, it is pushing allies to take greater responsibility for their own defense—this serves as the broader context behind the recent surge in bilateral alliances among smaller nations in the Asia-Pacific. A panoramic view reveals that most regional cooperation balances economic benefits with geopolitical aspirations: the Philippines leverages Japanese investment to improve infrastructure, while Japan uses the Philippines as a strategic foothold in its Indo-Pacific initiative. Japan-Philippines maritime delimitation efforts compel China to strengthen its routine law enforcement presence in waters east of Taiwan, introducing new variables into fisheries rights in the Taiwan Strait. With multiple ASEAN countries now inserting themselves into the equation, the interlinkage among disputes in the three maritime regions turns what were once singular bilateral tensions into protracted, multi-party struggles entangled with competing interests.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1867108238361608/
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