Chinese Aggression and Maritime Security in the South China Sea
- AP Photo/Joeal Calupitan.
Representing Indonesia were Rear Admiral Eka Satari, Director of Cooperations of the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla RI), Dr. Mohammad Riza Widyarsa, a lecturer in International Relations at Paramadina University, and Johanes Herlijanto, Chair of the Indonesian Sinology Forum.
Johannes suggested that the strategy employed by the Philippines in response to China's aggressive actions serves as a valuable lesson for other countries facing similar experiences. He noted that China's aggressive stance is evident through tactics known as "grey zone" strategies against countries with sovereignty or sovereign rights in waters that China claims as its own.
"In reality, China's assertion of ownership, based solely on historical claims, contradicts international maritime law, particularly the UNCLOS, which China itself has ratified," he said.
Johannes highlighted that China's unilateral recognition, marked by the nine-dash line, was actually refuted by the ruling of the International Arbitration Tribunal, brought by the Philippines in 2016.
However, the country not only insists that much of the South China Sea (SCS) belongs to it but also continues to employ grey zone tactics. The Philippines has been a target, especially in the last two or three years. Johannes reminded that besides the Philippines, Vietnam and even Indonesia have frequently been targets of China's grey zone activities.
Jay Tarriela pointed out that President Marcos decided to adopt a strategy of transparency after considering the strategies of previous presidents. The Philippine President wants to disclose and publicize China's activities in the area to the Filipino people and other countries as part of his foreign policy.
"Based on reflections on the strategies adopted by previous presidents, President Marcos decided to implement a strategy of transparency, essentially a strategy to expose China's aggressive actions in the Philippine EEZ," said Commodore Jay.
This transparency strategy is supported by law enforcement agencies, media monitoring patrols, and the Filipino public as a whole. They unite in supporting the government against China's aggression. Nonetheless, Commodore Jay expressed the importance of the Philippines also receiving support from other Southeast Asian countries.
