The Philippines has decided to increase their ties with Japan and the United States of America at a recent summit of the country. US President Joe Biden hosted Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington last week where they discussed “serious concerns” over China’s actions in the South China Sea. The Philippine foreign ministry said that the three countries teaming up would promote peace and economic growth in the Indo-Pacific and should not be considered a threat. China has had excessive maritime claims and aggressive behavior in the region and has been undermining the peace and stability in the region. “The source of tension in our region is well known to all. China should reflect upon its own actions in the South China Sea,” said by the ministry.
This will have a lasting impact on China’s activities in the South China Sea because of the United States getting involved. The way China has been acting in the sea is quite excessive and the meeting with the Philippines, Japan, and the United States is aimed to limit this. The article did not state exactly what they plan to do but it will not be anything destructive that would cause dangerous conflict between the states. However the meeting will likely lead to the Chinese government easing up in the South China Sea and will likely create peace within the region.
This relates to our international relations class because international law. There is no world police to enforce international law so it is not really possible to enforce it but powerful countries can get countries to follow them. China’s actions in the sea have been raising concerns in one of the world’s busiest waterways as well as hurting global trade. The world’s ocean is supposed to be free game for all countries to trade. So with the United States getting more involved in the South China Sea China’s actions will be dialed back and the Philippines and Japan will have peace in the water and they will prosper economically by trade through the sea.