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Bully vs sovereignty: how Manila and Beijing are sharpening their South China Sea messaging

Leaked letter exposes fault lines in Philippines’ South China Sea strategy

Challenges and pathways in the South China Sea

The Philippines wants to seal South China Sea code of conduct. Can it deliver?

South China Sea

News

China

Diplomacy

Military

Will new High Seas Treaty open a fresh front line in South China Sea disputes?

Illustration: Henry Wong

The marine protected areas mechanism will restrict or even prohibit fishing and other commercial activities. Photo: Xinhua

Effective January 17, the framework protects unique marine biodiversity and ecosystems in areas beyond any individual country’s jurisdiction.


Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

As 2026 Asean chair, Manila has highlighted its push to finalise within its term a code of conduct covering the contested waters.


 Illustration: Henry Wong

A frame from the video released by the Philippine Coast Guard in December of what it said showed a Chinese vessel  deploying water cannon towards a fishing boat near Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea. Photo: Handout

A photograph released by the Philippine Coast Guard which it said showed fishermen injured in an encounter with a Chinese vessel in the South China Sea in December. Photo: AFP

Analysts say the Philippines’ approach of ‘assertive transparency’ may be wearing thin at home and in the region.


Beijing and its neighbours are leveraging new frameworks and diplomacy as they navigate the challenges of their competing claims and ambitions in the contested waters. This three-part series explores the evolving diplomatic and strategic tools being used to reshape the South China Sea in 2026.


Series

Challenges and pathways in the South China Sea

Beijing and its neighbours are leveraging new frameworks and diplomacy as they navigate the challenges of their competing claims and ambitions in the contested waters. This three-part series explores the evolving diplomatic and strategic tools being used to reshape the South China Sea in 2026.

Why High Seas Treaty could change ‘rules of the game’ in South China Sea row

Effective January 17, the framework protects unique marine biodiversity and ecosystems in areas beyond any individual country’s jurisdiction.

The Philippines wants to seal South China Sea code of conduct. Can it deliver?

As 2026 Asean chair, Manila has highlighted its push to finalise within its term a code of conduct covering the contested waters.

How Manila and Beijing are sharpening their South China Sea messaging

Analysts say the Philippines’ approach of ‘assertive transparency’ may be wearing thin at home and in the region.