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China’s pursuit of greater control of the South Treaty (MDT) with the US, which was
China Sea has ramped up in recent years, how- signed in 1951, Lorenzana said: “Our stand
ever, thanks to its construction and fortification on that is we do not honour those laws by
of artificial islands in the region. the Chinese within the West Philippine Sea
because we consider that we have the sover-
Maritime grip eign right within [these] waters. So we will
China revised its naval law in August to require not recognise this law of the Chinese.”
five types of vessels traversing the South China Lorenzana said it was time for a compre-
Sea to report their information to Chinese hensive review of the MDT, arguing that the US
authorities. needed to clarify the extent of its commitments
China’s Maritime Safety Administration said to the Southeast Asian nation.
on August 27 that the revision – which came into “Some questions being asked in Manila are:
force on September 1 – applied to submarines, do we still need the MDT; should we amend it,”
nuclear vessels and carriers transporting crude, he told Washington’s Center for Strategic and
petrochemicals, LNG, radioactive materials and International Studies. “What is clear is that we
other toxic substances. The law also extends need a comprehensive review of our alliance.”
more broadly to other vessels “that might endan- Lorenzana added that US-Philippine rela-
ger China’s maritime traffic safety”. tions would “have to evolve in recognition of
While Beijing has said the new law is not new geopolitical realities, most especially the
meant to impede freedom of navigation, the US rise of China”.
has described it as a “serious threat”. Washing- He said the two countries should consider
ton has stepped up its activity in the region in revising their defence pacts to ensure both could
recent years in a bid to counter China’s growing better respond to “grey zone threats”, such as the
presence. Indeed, US naval vessels supported the Chinese coastguard’s intimidation of neighbour-
Malaysian navy in last year’s standoff with Chi- ing countries.
nese vessels. The US’ recent trilateral security pact with
China has traditionally relied on its Australia and the UK – dubbed AUKUS – was
coastguard to enforce its position within driven by a growing concern over Chinese mili-
contested waters, with the paramilitary organ- tary encroachment within the Asia-Pacific. Fol-
isation present in the highest profile of marine lowing such a deal, the US may prefer to wait and
confrontations. see its effect on wider regional stability before it
With antagonism growing between China, agrees to additional military pacts.
its neighbours and the US, Beijing has moved However, what is clear is that one of the
to beef up the capabilities of its coastguard. The world’s largest oil and gas trade routes is increas-
Coast Guard Law was passed in January allow- ingly at risk of witnessing a geopolitical flash
ing the maritime force to fire on foreign vessels point. Such a conflict no matter how small would
within what they judge to be their jurisdiction. have major consequences for the global oil and
gas market.
What next The US’ recent trilateral security pact with
China’s increasingly militant stance over its Australia and the UK – dubbed AUKUS – was
South China Sea claims has seen the Philippine driven by a growing concern over Chinese mili-
government, which under President Rodrigo tary encroachment within the Asia-Pacific. Fol-
Duterte has hesitated over challenging Beijing lowing such a deal, the US may prefer to wait and
directly, become more critical of Chinese policy. see its effect on wider regional stability before it
Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Loren- agrees to additional military pacts.
zana said last month that Manila would ignore However, what is clear is that one of the
China’s amended maritime law, as it does not world’s largest oil and gas trade routes is increas-
recognise Chinese authority over international ingly at risk of witnessing a geopolitical flash
and disputed waters. point. Such a conflict no matter how small would
Speaking during a September 10 event have major consequences for the global oil and
to mark the Philippines’ Mutual Defence gas market.™

Week 40 07•October•2021 www. NEWSBASE .com P5