Will Manila and Hanoi’s maritime deal challenge Beijing in the South China Sea?

South China Morning Post  |  Alyssa Chen

The Philippines and Vietnam have established a new maritime cooperation agreement aimed at countering Beijing's regional strategy in the South China Sea. This bilateral pact directly chips away at China's preferred tactic of conducting only one-on-one negotiations with individual claimant states to resolve overlapping territorial disputes. A decade after Beijing rejected the ruling by The Hague's Permanent Court of Arbitration regarding its expansive claims, rival nations continue to actively manoeuvre for control.

While some regional experts argue that the practical value of this new agreement between Manila and Hanoi remains mostly symbolic, the deepening maritime cooperation represents a shift in how these Southeast Asian nations coordinate their security postures. This strategic alignment could ultimately complicate China's long-term efforts to assert uncontested dominance over the disputed waters, as neighboring countries increasingly seek minilateral partnerships to bolster their collective bargaining positions against Beijing's assertive maritime activities in the region.

Comment

New Delhi must closely monitor these emerging security alignments in the South China Sea. Collaborative maritime frameworks among Southeast Asian claimants strengthen regional resistance against unilateral revisionism. India can leverage these partnerships to expand its security footprint. Joint training and information sharing with these nations will bolster regional maritime defence.

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