How to Deal with a Bully - Edcel Lagman

S P E E C H E S

How to Deal with a Bully EDCEL C. LAGMAN member of the philippine house of representatives president, liberal party of the philippines

Speech delivered during the Parallel Session on Great Power Competition, the Taiwan Straits and the South China Sea Disputes at the 30th CALD Anniversary Public Conference held on 9 September in Taipei, Taiwan The history of nations is punctuated by the international order. Accordingly, China’s intense rivalry for expansion and power— “nine-dash line” that asserted ownership over from ancient times to the Persian and the vast and mineral-rich WPS was rejected Roman empires, to the European nations’ as spurious with finality. quest for colonies in Asia and the Americas, the Napoleonic wars, However, China has contumaand down to the present day ciously defied the arbitral powerplay between the decision by: United States and China in the West Philippine • Continuing its ocSea (also known as the cupancy of areas “This is not South China Sea) and declared under one crisis but a the Taiwan Straits, the Philippine series of military disturbing the geosovereignty and political landscape in ownership; actions instigated Southeast Asia and • Amassing addiby China.”

East Asia. tional areas; • Building strucOn 12 July 2016, the tures and military Pe r m a n e n t C o u r t o f facilities in areas it Arbitration unequivocally reclaimed in the WPS; awarded to the Philippines most • Prohibiting fishing by of the territories in the West Philippine Sea Filipinos in the adjudicated areas (WPS), which were declared part of the awarded to the Philippines; and Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

• Obstructing navigation and transit in the WPS. This decision was based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea China just recently disclosed a new map, (UNCLOS) and the regime of rule-based which it denominated as its 10-dash line,

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expanding its pretentious claims in the WPS. This new spurious map has been rejected by most Asian nations, particularly those in Southeast Asia.

It needs emphasis that the enforcement of the arbitral award in favor of the Philippines has growing international support. All G-7 countries, and many European Union member nations, along with Australia and India, have expressed their support. They have vowed to help the Philippines enforce the award by stopping China’s recidivist defiance of the arbitral decision and its continuing incursions and militarization in the West Philippine Sea.

The Taiwan Strait’s importance is directly linked to its strategic location. For one, it is a vital global maritime trade route, linking the East China Sea and the West Philippine Sea. For another, it is strategically positioned and connects the western Pacific Ocean to East and Southeast Asia. It is also a foothold with enormous national security implications for China. Lastly, it has implications for international relations, particularly with regard to the United States. Any crisis or conflict in the Strait could affect U.S. relations with China and other regional powers.

But we also have the Taiwan Strait Crises, or the series of tense situations and conflicts that have occurred between China and Taiwan over the status and sovereignty of Taiwan and its surrounding waters.

This is not one crisis but a series of military actions instigated by China.

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S P E E C H E S

As the two economic giants and military superpowers face off for dominance, Southeast Asia, East Asia, and the Indo-Pacific have become hotbeds for their powerplay and increasing rivalry.

Both countries are vying for control and influence in these subregions. This competition has significant implications on the security and stability of these areas and beyond.

With 10 countries and a combined 655 million people, Southeast Asia has the world’s third largest population and its fifth largest economy. It is a top investment and export destination of both the United States and China.

As they struggle for regional hegemony, the United States and China maintain and expand their respective military and economic presence and influence in Southeast and East Asia. But their ambitions have inflamed tensions in these subregions. That is why individual nations must always stand their ground when it comes to their sovereignty and independence; economic deals based on fair and transparent trade agreements; and adherence to the international rule of law, democracy, and liberalism.

The strategic maneuverings of the United States and China and their implications are also keenly felt

by Taiwan. Its security is a major concern in this power struggle.

Although not mirror images of each other, Taiwan Straits Crises and the territorial claims of China and the Philippines over islands in the WPS have several stark similarities.

Like in the Taiwan Strait Crises, the dispute over the WPS revolves around territorial claims, maritime rights, and marine and petroleum resources. There have also been instances of military aggression, including China’s brazen occupation of disputed islands, incidents at sea, and the construction of military installations

by China.

I am not saying that the other protagonist does not have its own share of aberrations.

But how do we pursue diplomacy and dialogue with a recidivist aggressor that rejects the rule of law and CALD’s cherished missions?

It is time for the Philippines to consider requesting kindred nations like the United States, Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, India, along with Germany, France, Italy, and other European Union But one major difference countries to enforce calis that the Philippines ibrated economic sanc“We must initiated arbitration tions on errant China action against China, so that it would honor seek nonwhich it eventually the final arbitral military recourse won and is now final award in favor of the with the help and executory.

Philippines over its of kindred Exclusive Economic nations.”

The Philippines needs Zone of maritime terto expand its military ritories known as the alliances with friendly West Philippine Sea, and nations in order to deter stop its military intervention further maritime terrorism in in the Taiwan Strait. the WPS. Economic sanctions will fall hard on China at Resorting to diplomacy fortifies peace. The this time when it is threatened by an impendinitial and principal response is diplomacy ing economic meltdown. and dialogue. We must seek consensus, not conflict. We must, perforce, strive for peace No amount of diplomatic protest and disin the regions and help maintain the balance course can tame a recalcitrant bully. We of power, or balance of terror, if you may, bemust seek non-military recourse with the tween the United States and China. help of kindred nations.

If the fragile balance is superseded by the ascendancy of one of the superpowers, which is known for its hostility against libertarian values and democratic ideals, the CALD will

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notth be allowed to flourish and celebrate its 40 anniversary 10 years from now.

Exhortations on democracy and liberalism, now truisms, may become motherhood statements if China continues and succeeds in its aggression in Southeast and East Asia.

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