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By Micah McCartney
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China's "aggressiveness" in the Asia-Pacific region has been years in the making and does not depend on which U.S. administration is in power, Philippine defense chief Gilberto Teodoro warned Wednesday.
"It depends on its own plan of action in the region—in our view, its own expansionist activities, its own need to control the area," he said during remarks at the Reuters NEXT Asia summit in Singapore.
Why It Matters
China claims nearly the entire South China Sea as its territory, citing historical rights—a position that puts it at odds with the Philippines and several other countries with competing claims.
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Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Philippines has mounted a strong challenge to China's growing presence within its exclusive economic zone. Chinese maritime forces have responded with blockades at disputed reefs and forceful measures during confrontations with Philippine government vessels.
This has brought renewed focus on the Southeast Asian country's defense treaty with Washington, which could potentially draw U.S. forces into a conflict with geopolitical rival Beijing.
Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry via a request for comment by email.
What To Know
Asked whether U.S. President Donald Trump's leadership style had prompted China's behavior, Teodoro said Beijing's designs are "predetermined by their own leader—irrespective of who an American leader is," though he acknowledged "U.S. pushback" remains a factor.
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As for the prospect of war, the official said he believed the chances are "remote."
"That would entirely depend on the internal conditions of China," Teodoro said, pointing out the Philippines is constitutionally barred from seeking war "as an instrument of national policy."
He said Manila seeks to balance diplomacy with a credible deterrent.
"What we are doing is merely putting a stop—as best as we can—to the illegal incursion of China, of which I do not think any country in the world supports," Teodoro said.
His remarks echoed comments he made in a Newsweek interview at last month's Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, where he said China's actions have bred weariness and distrust.
Both the administrations of Trump and former President Joe Biden have reaffirmed the U.S.' commitment to the defense treaty with the Philippines, which remains "ironclad."
Beijing has repeatedly accused the Philippines of being in a pawn in U.S. efforts to contain China's rise and touted bilateral dialogue with its neighbor as the only solution to their territorial dispute.
What People Are Saying
Rahm Emanuel, former U.S. ambassador to Japan, said of the Asia Pacfic's hot spots during a recent interview with CNN: "On China, let me say this, everybody focuses on Taiwan. Look, you have the South China Sea with the Philippines. That is a country that's a treaty ally of the United States. You have our entire reputation and clarity of deterrence on stage.
"…And Xi does not have the confidence in his own military to make that move yet [against Taiwan]. So to me, the real challenge is, first and foremost in the front queue, is the South China Sea with the Philippines."
What's Next
President Marcos has indicated that any deliberate act by China resulting in a Philippine death would constitute a "red line." Still, in its pushback against China, the country has sought to avoid outright conflict, opting instead to document and publicize Chinese vessel movements and incidents, such as ramming and water cannon attacks.
Even so, tensions with China are driving the Philippines' ongoing $35 billion military modernization program, which includes efforts to acquire more capable fighter jets and warships.
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