As the sun rises over Ho Chi Minh City, the streets are already alive with activity. In a vast, bustling factory, hundreds of workers skillfully piece together electronics, garments, and machinery that will soon be shipped around the world. This scene is strikingly similar to what one might have witnessed in Shenzhen during the early…
In 2012, the United Nations recognized Benham Rise, located off the east coast of the Philippines, as part of the country’s extended continental shelf. This recognition was uncontested by China. Fast forward to today, the Philippines has submitted a new claim to the United Nations for an extended continental shelf (ECS) in the South China…
Japan is engaging in a significant strategic endeavor: constructing artificial islands. This island nation, long shaped by the tectonic forces at the convergent plate boundary, is now using human ingenuity to enhance its geopolitical and economic standing. The move is not just about expanding territory but also about fortifying its position in a region rife…
The Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises, the world’s largest international maritime exercise, are currently underway in Hawaii. With over 25,000 personnel from 29 countries, RIMPAC aims to bolster multilateral relations and enhance military preparedness, promoting a “free and open Indo-Pacific.” This year’s iteration, which began on June 27 and will continue until August, highlights…
The Philippines’ complex and often turbulent relationship with the United States, particularly regarding the South China Sea dispute, has long been a subject of intense scrutiny and debate. The recent incidents, including a clash with Chinese maritime forces that resulted in injuries to Filipino soldiers, have once again brought the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between…
In the early 20th century, the Anglo-Japanese Alliance marked a significant shift in East Asian geopolitics, reflecting a strategic partnership designed to counterbalance regional threats and maintain stability. Fast forward to the present day, a similar realignment is unfolding in Southeast Asia as senior defense and foreign affairs officials from Japan and the Philippines prepare…
The Second Thomas Shoal, also known as Ayungin Shoal, is a small but strategically significant reef in the South China Sea. It is one of the many contested maritime features in this geopolitically volatile region, claimed by China, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The dispute over this shoal is emblematic of the broader tensions that…
Let us explore the Current State of Digital Competitiveness in the Philippines, Economic Potential of Digital Transformation, Government Initiatives and Funding and the challenges faced by the Philippines in digital transformation. We will delve into the urgency for the Philippines to fully embrace digitalization across government processes, businesses, and education systems and will highlight the…
In the wake of a violent clash between the Philippine Navy and the China Coast Guard, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has asserted that the Philippines will not be intimidated, though it has no intention of starting a war. The altercation, which occurred off Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, highlighted the escalating tensions…
The North Borneo dispute, also known as the Sabah dispute, is a territorial conflict between Malaysia and the Philippines over much of the eastern half of the state of Sabah. Prior to the formation of the Malaysian federation, Sabah was referred to as North Borneo. The Philippines, as the successor state to the Sultanate of…
