Indonesia: Little Big Nation In the vast archipelago of Indonesia, comprising over 13,000 islands and diverse ethnic groups, Joko Widodo, commonly known as Jokowi, has emerged as a prominent leader steering the nation away from traditional norms. Rising from humble beginnings, Jokowi’s presidency, which began in 2014, signified a historic departure as the first head…
In response to escalating Chinese aggression at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, the Philippines Congress has demonstrated a strong commitment by allocating funds for the establishment of a permanent post at the contested site. Presently, the Philippines Navy maintains a presence on the shoal using the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded landing…
In 2012, China’s occupation of Scarborough Shoal marked a pivotal moment for the Philippines, triggering consequences that reverberated through its maritime domain. This occasion, characterized with the aid of the depletion of vital fish shares, served as a stark reminder of the multifaceted challenges the island nation faces. Guarding over 7,600 islands in the sprawling…
In recent developments, the Philippines Coast Guard has expressed deep concern over the gathering of a substantial number of Chinese maritime vessels, exceeding 135 in number, at Whitsun Reef. This reef falls within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines in the South China Sea. The Philippines has responded with alarm to the increasing presence…
A Brief Indonesia, a nation boasting a population of more than 270 million, is a sprawling archipelago comprising over 17,500 islands. With an impressive economic size exceeding one trillion dollars, it stands proudly as a member of the exclusive G20 and holds the chair among the ASEAN nation states. The country’s vast size, youthful demographic,…
As of September 29, 2023, the Philippines has surpassed four million tourist arrivals for the year, inching close to the annual target of 4.8 million, as reported by the Department of Tourism. The figures, almost double the arrivals recorded during the same period in 2022, include 91.58% foreign visitors and 8.42% overseas Filipinos. Leading the…
Historical Matrix of Taiwan and the Philippines: A Geopolitical Prelude The prospects and challenges offered by geographical locations are impossible to deny or even ignore. The blessings and hardships grappled by nations and countries due to geography compel nations around the world to have different strategies and goals to be achieved and national dreams to…
Introduction Established in 1989 in Australia, APEC, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, has become an important forum for countries in the region to work together on economic matters. With its headquarter in Singapore, APEC is one of the oldest and most influential groups in the Asia-Pacific. Its goal is to promote balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative, and…
Imagine a situation in which Chinese merchant fleet, its navy and Chinese Coast Guard present in some form, from the coast of Africa, all the way around to the Korean Peninsula, covering vast oceans, thus protecting Chinese economic interests and the maritime system in which those interests operate. Likewise, imagine India, South Korea, and Japan…
A Brief Vietnam’s strategic outlook in the South China Sea is deeply rooted in both historical and contemporary considerations. This key region, nestled in the Pacific Ocean, is bordered by several neighboring nations, including Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, the Philippines, China, and Taiwan. Notably, it serves as a crucial conduit for global trade,…
