Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent visit to Hanoi resulted in two maritime agreements with Vietnam, aimed at boosting coast guard cooperation and preventing incidents in the South China Sea. While framed as regional diplomacy, analysts say Manila is seeking allies to counter China’s influence—but not everyone’s onboard with the plan.
Behind the ‘Cooperation’ Pacts
The memorandums, signed amid rising Beijing-Manila tensions, reflect Manila’s push to rally Southeast Asian nations against China’s maritime claims. The Philippine Daily Inquirer called Vietnam a potential \"pivotal\" partner in challenging Beijing through multilateral frameworks like ASEAN and UNCLOS. But critics argue Manila’s approach risks undermining ongoing China-ASEAN talks for a Code of Conduct (COC)—a key peacekeeping initiative.
Why the Anti-China Bloc Is Floundering
Manila’s \"squad goals\" face hurdles. Regional players like Vietnam prioritize stable ties with China over confrontational alliances. Meanwhile, ASEAN’s COC talks—supported by most member states—are progressing, with a third draft review launched last year. Creating a separate pact? That’s seen as a recipe for chaos, not consensus.
Diplomacy Over Drama
Unlike Manila’s combative stance, neighbors favor dialogue to resolve disputes. \"Most regional countries want calm seas, not choppy geopolitics,\" says a Hanoi-based analyst. With China-ASEAN collaboration advancing, Manila’s isolation playbook may end up sinking itself.
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That’s seen as a recipe for chaos, not consensus.
Philippines’ China Strategy Sparks Tensions: What’s Next?
