China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea has led to a visible change in geopolitical alliances. This is exemplified by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s recent visit to the Philippines, where both nations expressed shared concerns about China’s actions. The visit resulted in agreements aimed at countering China’s assertiveness, including the provision of coastal radar systems by Japan to enhance maritime domain awareness in the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
As the security landscape in the Indo-Pacific region evolves, Japan has called for a rapid build-up of its military capabilities, signaling a departure from its pacifist defense strategy adopted after World War Two. Under its Overseas Security Assistance (OSA) framework, Japan aims to provide military support to other “like-minded” countries. The Philippines is the first country to benefit from OSA, with the provision of coastal radar systems worth $4 million.
Japan has a longstanding history of defense cooperation with the Philippines, including providing patrol ships and military support. The recent visit by Prime Minister Kishida initiated negotiations for a defense pact on reciprocal access, streamlining joint military drills and facilitating access to military bases for both countries’ forces. Similar agreements exist between the Philippines and the United States and Australia, with a long-term overseas basing arrangement with the U.S. military.
The Philippines recently suspended its military exchange program with China due to increased incidents of maritime confrontation in the disputed Spratly Islands. The China Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia have continuously harassed Philippine ships, particularly when supplying convoys to Philippine-occupied Second Thomas Shoal. As a result, the Philippines is likely to terminate China’s Belt and Road Initiative projects and explore Western and Japanese financing options for development projects instead.
Reports suggest that the Philippine government, backed by the Senate, is considering terminating China’s Belt and Road Initiative projects worth $4.9 billion in the country. This decision comes as a response to both economic and political concerns, with the Philippines looking towards Western and Japanese financing alternatives. Major projects, including railway lines in Luzon and Mindanao, are likely to be affected by this move.
China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea has led to a visible geopolitical realignment, with Japan and the Philippines strengthening their defense cooperation to counter China’s actions. Japan’s provision of coastal radar systems enhances the Philippines’ maritime domain awareness and ability to monitor Chinese activity in disputed areas. The Philippines’ decision to terminate China’s Belt and Road Initiative projects and seek other financing options highlights the country’s determination to assert its interests in the region while aligning with countries that share similar concerns about China’s actions.
