Creeping assertiveness: China, the Philippines and the South China sea dispute

Abstract

This article examines the development of Sino-Philippine territorial disputes in the South China Sea during 1995–98. China’s occupation of Mischief Reef in 1995 was part of a dual strategy of negotiation and occupation, influenced by domestic political factors. The weakness of the Philippine armed forces provided the People’s Republic of China with an opportunity to extend its claims in the South China Sea, avoiding the possibility of military confrontation. The Philippines has pursued diplomacy to resolve the disputes, employing both bilateral and multilateral negotiations. Whilst these negotiations have met with some success, the primary issues remain unresolved. In its dispute with the PRC, the Philippines received unprecedented support from ASEAN, which viewed China’s actions as damaging to regional stability. The United States provided very limited support to the Philippines as its vital national interests were not affected.