Latest news with #GilbertoTeodoroJr
Newsweek
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
US Ally Sends Strong Warning to China
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. China's efforts to expand its sphere of influence in its own region and beyond are part of its "political DNA" and a growing number of countries are coalescing against it, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told Newsweek in an interview. Following a tense exchange with Chinese officials at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia's premier defense summit, Teodoro called Beijing "the cause of instability". Newsweek contacted the Chinese Foreign Ministry by email with a request for comment. Why It Matters Teodoro's comments reflect the toughening stance by the Philippines, a U.S. treaty ally, under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. over China's claims in its exclusive economic zone. China claims up to 90 percent of the South China Sea as its territory, citing what it calls historical rights within its self-declared nine-dash line—a boundary that overlaps with the maritime claims of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and self-ruling Taiwan. Footage released by the Philippines has shown the Chinese coast guard using ramming maneuvers and water cannon attacks that Manila said left Philippine servicemen injured. A Hague-based arbitral tribunal dismissed China's dashed-line claims in a 2016 decision Beijing rejected as invalid. Gilberto Teodoro Jr, Secretary of National Defense of the Philippines, delivers his speech during the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, Sunday, June 1, 2025. Gilberto Teodoro Jr, Secretary of National Defense of the Philippines, delivers his speech during the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, Sunday, June 1, 2025. Anupam Nath/Associated Press What To Know Beijing's agenda is rooted in its leadership structure, Teodoro told Newsweek on Sunday. "That is to extend the sphere of influence of dynastic politics of whatever nature, and it is within their DNA to be that—their political DNA." "The impression of other countries is that of weariness, caution, and not comfort. Even those who engage with them fully do not fully trust China." Still, China remains a major trade partner for some 150 countries, according to Beijing's customs administration—and for most of Southeast Asia—a fact Teodoro acknowledged has likely muted some nations' responses. "But this has got to stop somewhere. And the countries that are standing up are coalescing against China," he said. "And if they [China] do not notice this [...] and spin the narrative as it being to contain their rightful place, then they're just fooling themselves." He expects "more of the same" from Beijing. The Philippines is therefore working to form an international coalition to increase deterrence, he added, likening this to erecting "a strong fence." China's actions in the South China Sea have also been met with strong protests from Washington and several Asian-Pacific and European nations. Adding to tensions are alleged espionage operations near military installations, mass cyberattack campaigns, and unsafe military encounters reported by U.S. allies in international waters. Deterrence of China would take two forms, Teodoro said: "building up capability resilience" and fostering "international resonance that will condemn their activities." During his remarks in a Shangri-La panel on Sunday, Teodoro was challenged by two senior Chinese colonels, who asked whether the Philippines would engage with China on friendly terms or choose to play the part of a U.S. proxy. Teodoro thanked the officials for "propaganda spiels disguised as questions," a barb that drew applause from attendees. He said the "deficit of trust" in China remains the largest obstacle to a solution in the South China Sea, adding that a nation that "represses its own people" is not to be trusted. What's Next A breakthrough in the South China Sea dispute remains unlikely, with both China and the Philippines firmly entrenched. The fact that the Philippines is a U.S. treaty ally makes it a potential flashpoint for global conflict at a time of tension between Washington and Beijing on numerous fronts.
Straits Times
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Philippines defence chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr calls out China's ‘propaganda spiel' at Shangri-La Dialogue
SINGAPORE - A 'deficit of trust' stands in the way of Beijing's ability to resolve disputes such as overlapping claims in the South China Sea, said Philippines defence chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr on June 1. Speaking on June 1 at a plenary session during the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Mr Teodoro also hit back at questions from Chinese delegates after one official compared the Philippines' handling of the waterway dispute with China, with the approaches taken by Malaysia and Vietnam, asking why Manila could not 'do the same' and 'effectively manage' these differences. The same official also asked if Manila's intention was to 'act as a proxy for external powers'. Among the claimants of the contested waterway, Manila, which has a mutual defence treaty with Washington, has been one of the most vocal in speaking out against Beijing's moves to assert its sovereignty in the South China Sea, with tense confrontations breaking out in recent times between the two countries' vessels and coast guards. This is in contrast to fellow Asean member states who also have territorial claims in the strategic waterway, which China claims the majority of via a 'nine-dash line' it uses to demarcate its territory. The area within the dashes overlaps with areas that Asean members Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei and Indonesia claim as their territories or exclusive economic zones. Currently, there are ongoing negotiations between Asean and Beijing to ink a Code of Conduct to manage South China Sea disputes peacefully . Labelling the queries posed during the session as a 'propaganda spiel disguised as questions' , which drew applause from those in attendance, Mr Teodoro said: 'On dialogue with China, unfortunately, my personal opinion (is that) the fact that the way the question was asked... engenders a deficit of trust in China's words vis-a-vis action.' He also said that while the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam were part of Asean , they are also sovereign countries with their own territorial integrity. 'I'm sure that if what China is doing to the Philippines is done to Malaysia or to any Asean country, you will see a different reaction. Certainly, as an Asean brother, the Philippines will stand up with that Asean brother in time of need and in support and defence of internal law and Unclos (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),' he said. Commenting on conducting dialogue with China , Mr Teodoro said that for such exchanges to be effective, it must be coupled with trust. He added: 'China has a lot of trust-building to do to be an effective negotiating partner in dispute settlement. 'We have to call a spade a spade… And that's the biggest stumbling block in dispute resolution or dialogue with China, the deficit of trust.' And while some Asean member states do have overlapping territorial claims with each other, these differences are dealt with in a cooperative and peaceful manner because of the trust between the nations. 'Asean should not allow other parties to define what Asean centrality means. And not (allow others) to use Asean's perceived action or inaction as a wedge to drive divisions among us,' Mr Teodoro said. When asked for a response on Mr Teodoro's remarks, Senior Colonel Qi Dapeng, a National Defence University professor who was among the Chinese delegates that posed questions at the session, took issue with how the Chinese queries were being framed as propaganda slogans. He told the Straits Times at the sidelines of the forum that Mr Teodoro has failed to respond to the issue 'properly'. In his remarks, Mr Teodoro warned that disruptions in strategic maritime corridors such as the South China Sea, the Suez Canal and the Bab el Mandeb, will have impacts across the globe. 'They are arteries of the global economy. Disruption in any of these maritime corridors triggers ripple effects across continents, impacting trade flows, military deployments and diplomatic posture,' he said. Also speaking during the plenary session on Enhancing Security Cooperation for a Stable Asia-Pacific were Thailand's deputy prime minister and defence minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Lithuania's Minister of National Defence Dovile Sakaliene. Mr Phumthum said that there have been efforts for Asean to unite on various fronts, including to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure as well as cross-regional security mechanisms. One area of concern in particular was the protection of undersea infrastructure, which he said remains vulnerable to physical attacks, sabotage and natural disasters. 'Disruption in this domain carries far-reaching consequences for regional economies and security,' he said. Thailand's deputy prime minister and defence minister Phumtham Wechayachai said that there have been efforts for Asean to unite on various fronts. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG Thailand, along with Singapore and Brunei, have proposed that the Asean Digital Masterplan 2025, which focuses on advancing digital transformation in the region, drive cooperation in this area, he added. Answering questions about Thailand's efforts to combat the networks of illegal scam centres that have been operating along its border with Myanmar, Mr Phumthum said this involves collective efforts from all countries. Bangkok and Beijing had earlier in 2025 launched a series of crackdowns to tackle the multi-billion-dollar scam hubs located in Myanmar, repatriating thousands of foreigners – including many Chinese nationals – who had been held captive there . 'We use our positive relations with Myanmar and talk with all concerned countries about online scammer issues, and collaborate in helping victims and trying to find a durable resolution,' he said. Thailand has also cut cross-border supply of electricity, water and internet connectivity to areas in Myanmar linked with these scam centres, he noted. 'This has undoubtedly impacted the local people in the area, but it will help us reduce the problem of online scammers and transnational crime,' Mr Phumthum added. Meanwhile, Ms Sakaliene highlighted Lithuania's Indo-Pacific Strategy that was launched in 2023 in response to the need to ensure security, economic cooperation and strengthen the small state's international position. 'We do have something to offer. And as one of my wonderful colleagues said here, being small does not mean being insignificant, especially where there are a lot of such small ones like us,' she said. On May 31, United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said during the security conference that the future, security and prosperity of the US and its Indo-Pacific allies were linked and 'bound together'. He also encouraged Asian countries to increase their defence spending. Ms Sakaliene said that while the United States' strategic focus on the Indo-Pacific was justified and necessary, it was not Washington's responsibility alone. 'I'm very glad to hear that so many of us here agree that we do have to work together,' she said, warning that if more 'coordinated action' by 'less diplomatically' aligned and authoritarian regimes were to take place, it would complicate global stability for decades. She added: 'In these times of uncertainty, I believe that our ability to weave a tightly knit network of allies and partners from Europe to the Indo-Pacific, based on fair government sharing and defence of joint interest against common threats, is crucial.' Additional reporting by Yew Lun Tian Tan Tam Mei is assistant foreign editor at The Straits Times. She oversees coverage of South-east Asia. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Nikkei Asia
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Nikkei Asia
Philippines signs military pact with New Zealand
MANILA (AP) -- The Philippines signed a military pact with New Zealand on Wednesday, allowing their forces to hold joint exercises as Manila continues to build security alliances in reaction to China becoming increasingly aggressive in the disputed South China Sea. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. witnessed the ceremony in Manila, where Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr and and his New Zealand counterpart, Judith Collins, inked the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement.
Toronto Star
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Philippines signs military pact with New Zealand to widen alliances while facing an assertive China
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippines signed a military pact with New Zealand Wednesday, allowing their forces to hold joint exercises as Manila continues to build security alliances as it faces an increasingly aggressive China in the disputed South China Sea. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. witnessed the ceremony in Manila, where Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr and and his New Zealand counterpart, Judith Collins, inked the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement.
Washington Post
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Philippines signs military pact with New Zealand to widen alliances while facing an assertive China
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines signed a military pact with New Zealand Wednesday, allowing their forces to hold joint exercises as Manila continues to build security alliances as it faces an increasingly aggressive China in the disputed South China Sea . Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. witnessed the ceremony in Manila, where Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr and and his New Zealand counterpart, Judith Collins, inked the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement.
