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Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
US Ally Doubles Down on Missiles Angering China
The Philippines' defense chief has again pushed back against China's claim that hosting U.S. missiles in the country amounts to a provocation. "It's none of China's business; it's for Philippine defense," Gilberto Teodoro said in a recent interview with 60 Minutes when asked to respond to Beijing's objections. China asserts sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, citing historical rights-a position that puts it at odds with competing claims by the Philippines and several other neighbors. In recent years, Manila has stepped up its response to China's growing presence within the Philippine maritime zone. Fierce clashes between Chinese and Philippine forces near disputed reefs have, on several occasions, left Philippine sailors injured. These incidents have put Manila's Mutual Defense Treaty with Washington in the spotlight, raising questions of whether U.S. forces could be drawn into a conflict with nuclear-armed China. Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry with a request for comment outside of office hours. On the latest episode of 60 Minutes, which aired Sunday, Teodoro compared China to "the proverbial schoolyard bully." "It just muscles you over," he said. The conversation turned to the Mid-Range Capability, or "Typhon" missile launcher, which the U.S. Army deployed to the Philippines ahead of joint military drills in April. The system can be equipped with Tomahawk missiles-whose maximum range of 1,200 miles puts much of China's east coast within reach-as well as shorter-range Standard Missile 6s. Army officials have said the SM-6 is the only U.S. missile currently capable of intercepting a hypersonic missile, such as those possessed by China and Russia, in late flight. China has repeatedly called for the Typhon to be removed from the Philippines. Asked by interviewer Cecelia Vega whether the missiles are there to stay, Teodoro said he could neither confirm nor deny such a plan. "What happens within our territory is for our defense," he said. "We follow international law. What's the fuss?" Teodoro said he didn't know how the feud would end, but indicated the Philippines will not back down. "All I know is that we cannot let [China] get away with what they're doing." A Hague-based arbitral court's 2016 decision dismissed China's sweeping South China Sea claims. Beijing maintains that the ruling was politically motivated. The 60 Minutes interview aired just two weeks after a tense back-and-forth between Teodoro and senior Chinese defense officials at the Shangri-La Dialogue defense forum in Singapore, where the Philippine official said a "deficit of trust" in China was the greatest obstacle to a solution to tensions in the South China Sea. Ray Powell, the director of the Stanford University-affiliated maritime analysis group SeaLight, told 60 Minutes: "China has decided that at this point in their history, they are large enough so they can buck the law." U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said at the Shangri-La Dialogue defense summit in Singapore on May 31: "We're watching very closely China's destabilizing actions, and any unilateral attempt to change the status quo in the South China Sea and the First Island Chain-by force or coercion-is unacceptable." Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakuntold reporters in February: "The Philippines has worked with the U.S. to bring in the Typhon system. It's placing its national security and defense in the hands of others and introducing geopolitical confrontation and the risk of an arms race into the region…China will not sit idly by when its security interests are harmed or threatened." Speaking with Newsweek on the sidelines of the Shangril-La Dialogue, Teodoro said Manila would seek to increase deterrence against China's activities in the Philippine exclusive economic zone by pushing for "international resonance" and "building up capability resilience." The Philippines is expected to continue holding joint military exercises with the U.S. and other countries concerned with China's growing assertiveness, including Japan and Australia. Last year, the U.S. pledged $500 million in military aid to its Southeast Asian ally. Related Articles US Aircraft Carrier USS George Washington Counters China Navy PresenceChina Touts Weapons Capabilities As Iran's Defenses CollapseWhy Trump Needs Tesla | OpinionMap Shows World's Nuclear Stockpiles As China Warheads Increase 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
US Ally Doubles Down on Missiles Angering 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. The Philippines' defense chief has again pushed back against China's claim that hosting U.S. missiles in the country amounts to a provocation. "It's none of China's business; it's for Philippine defense," Gilberto Teodoro said in a recent interview with 60 Minutes when asked to respond to Beijing's objections. Why It Matters China asserts sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, citing historical rights—a position that puts it at odds with competing claims by the Philippines and several other neighbors. In recent years, Manila has stepped up its response to China's growing presence within the Philippine maritime zone. Fierce clashes between Chinese and Philippine forces near disputed reefs have, on several occasions, left Philippine sailors injured. These incidents have put Manila's Mutual Defense Treaty with Washington in the spotlight, raising questions of whether U.S. forces could be drawn into a conflict with nuclear-armed China. Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry with a request for comment outside of office hours. What To Know On the latest episode of 60 Minutes, which aired Sunday, Teodoro compared China to "the proverbial schoolyard bully." "It just muscles you over," he said. The conversation turned to the Mid-Range Capability, or "Typhon" missile launcher, which the U.S. Army deployed to the Philippines ahead of joint military drills in April. The system can be equipped with Tomahawk missiles—whose maximum range of 1,200 miles puts much of China's east coast within reach—as well as shorter-range Standard Missile 6s. Army officials have said the SM-6 is the only U.S. missile currently capable of intercepting a hypersonic missile, such as those possessed by China and Russia, in late flight. A U.S. "Typhon" launcher is seen in Northern Luzon in the Philippines on April 8, 2024. A U.S. "Typhon" launcher is seen in Northern Luzon in the Philippines on April 8, 2024. Ryan DeBooy/U.S. Army China has repeatedly called for the Typhon to be removed from the Philippines. Asked by interviewer Cecelia Vega whether the missiles are there to stay, Teodoro said he could neither confirm nor deny such a plan. "What happens within our territory is for our defense," he said. "We follow international law. What's the fuss?" Teodoro said he didn't know how the feud would end, but indicated the Philippines will not back down. "All I know is that we cannot let [China] get away with what they're doing." A Hague-based arbitral court's 2016 decision dismissed China's sweeping South China Sea claims. Beijing maintains that the ruling was politically motivated. The 60 Minutes interview aired just two weeks after a tense back-and-forth between Teodoro and senior Chinese defense officials at the Shangri-La Dialogue defense forum in Singapore, where the Philippine official said a "deficit of trust" in China was the greatest obstacle to a solution to tensions in the South China Sea. What People Have Said Ray Powell, the director of the Stanford University-affiliated maritime analysis group SeaLight, told 60 Minutes: "China has decided that at this point in their history, they are large enough so they can buck the law." U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said at the Shangri-La Dialogue defense summit in Singapore on May 31: "We're watching very closely China's destabilizing actions, and any unilateral attempt to change the status quo in the South China Sea and the First Island Chain—by force or coercion—is unacceptable." Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters in February: "The Philippines has worked with the U.S. to bring in the Typhon system. It's placing its national security and defense in the hands of others and introducing geopolitical confrontation and the risk of an arms race into the region…China will not sit idly by when its security interests are harmed or threatened." What's Next Speaking with Newsweek on the sidelines of the Shangril-La Dialogue, Teodoro said Manila would seek to increase deterrence against China's activities in the Philippine exclusive economic zone by pushing for "international resonance" and "building up capability resilience." The Philippines is expected to continue holding joint military exercises with the U.S. and other countries concerned with China's growing assertiveness, including Japan and Australia. Last year, the U.S. pledged $500 million in military aid to its Southeast Asian ally.
Memri
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Memri
The Philippines Position In The South China Sea; There Cannot Be Dialogue When China Habitually Peddles Lies
The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) recently concluded its annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.[1] The Shangri-La Dialogue is widely regarded as the premier defense summit for the Indo-Pacific region. With representatives from 47 countries in attendance, the forum provides a platform for defense ministers, military leaders, and senior officials to discuss regional security challenges. Philippine Secretary of Defense Gilberto Teodoro was among the keynote speakers of the event. In his address, Teodoro outlined the Philippines' position on three key issues: the evolving role and limitations of multilateral institutions such as the United Nations; the Philippine's position amid the intensifying U.S.-China rivalry; and the reasons why the Philippines' acts the way it does amid China's illegal territorial grab in the South China Sea. During the International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue 2025, which took place on May 30-June 1, 2025 in Singapore, Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. responded to questions raised by Chinese delegates concerning maritime tensions in the region. He said that the questions were in fact "disguised" propaganda and he highlighted the increasing gap between China's statements and its actions in the West Philippine Sea. Video footage of the session was posted to Facebook by the Philippine Department of National Defense on June 2, 2025. (See MEMRI TV clip No. 12063, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. At Shangri-La Conference: The Gap Between China's Words And Actions In The West Philippine Sea Is Growing, June 2, 2025) The State Of Multilateral Institutions For the past 80 years, the rules-based international order upheld by the United Nations and other multilateral institutions has fostered global stability that allowed nations to thrive in relative peace. In Asia, it paved the way for the post-war recovery and economic success of Japan, South Korea, and those in Southeast Asia. But the world is changing. Global interconnectedness – through migration, trade, and security alliances – has never been greater. The war in Ukraine, for example, has driven up energy and commodity prices across Asia. The conflict between Israel and certain terrorist groups in the Arab world has disrupted supply chains around the world. Furthermore, tensions in strategic chokepoints like the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait and the South China Sea send ripples through global trade. In today's world, events in one region inevitably have consequences far beyond their borders. Amid recent conflicts and disputes, multilateral institutions have faced increased stress in maintaining peace and security. The mechanisms which were once effective in blocking acts of aggression and in restoring order are no longer as effective as they used to be. This is attributed to gridlocks in decision making, the failure to promote dialogue among disputing parties and the snail's pace by which reforms adapting to change are carried out. Legal and normative gaps are widening in the resolution of territorial disputes, in cybersecurity breaches, in protecting underwater infrastructure, in regulating artificial intelligence, and in the proliferation of lethal autonomous weapons – just to name a few. Under the current system, the inability of multilateral institutions to arrive at peaceful resolutions has become the norm, rather than the exception. This underscores the need for reforms that reflect today's realities. To this, Secretary Teodoro offers three recommendations: -First, enhance inter-regional security cooperation. This can be done by increasing dialogue among regional blocks such as the EU, ASEAN, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on shared security concerns. -Second, establish a revised legal framework, grounded on the rule of law, that is fit-for-purpose for the issues that face us today. Such a legal framework is to be jointly and cooperatively enforced by member countries. -Third, the inordinate veto privilege of powerful countries must be curtailed since its exercise is often a hindrance to the interest of the world at large. The Philippines advocates greater representation of smaller states, particularly in the UN Security Council. The Philippines commits to advocate constructive solutions if and when it is elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2027-2028. In the end, there is no alternative for the rules-based-order to maintain peace, security, and the continued prosperity of the world. We must improve the framework we already have. The Proxy War China sent no top defense officials to the Shangri-La Dialogue.[2] Instead, the Chinese delegation was led by representatives from the National Defense University. Its mission was to inject Chinese propaganda messages into the forum. One of them asked the Philippine Defense Secretary why the Philippines is allowing itself to be a proxy of America amid the U.S.-China "cold war." Secretary Teodoro emphasized that while the U.S.-China rivalry is raging, it must not be made the overarching narrative of all conflicts. Doing so unfairly portrays the legitimate actions of states like the Philippines as being done at the behest of stronger powers. It undermines the agency of smaller states. Secretary Teodoro also reiterated that the Philippine's actions in the South China Sea are not a function of the U.S.-China rivalry. Rather, they are a result of China's overreach in its nine-, ten-, or 11-dash line, which changes according to China's need, which is illegal and has no basis in international law. China's Territorial Grab Another CCP outfit asserted that while Malaysia and Vietnam have disputes with China, both manage their difference through peaceful dialogue, so why couldn't the Philippines do the same? To this, Secretary Teodoro's responded with barbed, elegant clarity. Let me quote him verbatim: "Thank you for the propaganda spiels disguised as questions. First, the comparison between the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam. Let us not forget that while we are members of ASEAN, we are [all] sovereign countries, each with their own territorial integrity and sovereignty. And I am 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 [from them]. And certainly, as an ASEAN brother, the Philippines will stand up with that ASEAN brother in [their] time of need – in support and in defense of what is international law and UNCLOS. As members of UNCLOS, we are all committed to support it. "On the dialogue with China, unfortunately, in my personal opinion, the fact that the question was asked in the way it was, engenders a deficit of trust in China's words vis-à-vis its actions. "Just look back to 1995 to a place called Mischief Reef.[3] There were a few bamboo structures erected there, and China said that these were temporary havens for fisherfolk. Now you have an artificial military island, heavily militarized. "China says that it has peaceful intentions. Why does it continue to deny the Philippines its rightful provenance under international law and UNCLOS? And as proof of this, we do not stand alone. No country in the world supports the nine dash line claim of China or the idea that waters within this nine dash line are internal waters of China. "Several countries in the world, no less than 50, have joined the Philippines in condemning China's behavior in the South China Sea. None have agreed with China and none has condemned the Philippines for standing up against China in the face of a threat to its territorial integrity and sovereignty for which I thank the members of this chamber right now for your support. "And thus, for dialogue to be effective, it must be coupled with trust. And 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 what we see, and that is the biggest stumbling block to dispute resolution or dialogue with China – that deficit of trust which I think any rational person or any person that is not ideologically biased with freedom of thought and freedom of speech, will agree with me."[4] Chinese Hypocrisy China wants to convey two messages to the world. First, that it indeed possesses sovereign and legal rights over the South China Sea by virtue of its self-conjured non-dash line. Second, that the Philippines is obstructing China from exercising its rights by engaging in legal maneuvers and provocative activities, aided by the United States and other countries that lean toward western doctrine. China cannot have it both ways. It cannot illegally grab the sovereign territories of another nation and also play the victim. It cannot call for dialogue and cooperation when it systematically employs grey-zone tactics like firing laser guns, attacking with water cannons, and illegally boarding Philippine inflatable boats and slashing them with knives. There cannot be dialogue when China habitually peddles lies (e.g., the Mischief Reef narrative)[5] and disinformation (e.g., that the Philippines is acting as a proxy of the United States). There cannot be cooperation when China uses coercion to bully its adversaries into submission. This is the reason why the Philippines acts as it does. It was the lone country, among the many claimants of parts of the South China Sea, with the courage to take China to court and win. It is in the forefront in exposing China's bad behavior. It is leading the way in advocating the rule-based order as a means of settling disputes. Hence, the Philippine's reaction toward China is not one born out of emotion or malevolent intentions. Rather, its reaction is pragmatic with the view of defending its sovereign rights. To sum up, Secretary Teodoro's talk highlighted not only the Philippines' commitment to upholding the rules-based order but also the important role of multilateral institutions in addressing global conflicts. As the world continues to change, it is imperative that multilateral institutions evolve to remain effective. Reform – particularly in enhancing representativeness, adapting legal frameworks to modern realities and fostering meaningful cooperation across regions – is essential to maintaining peace. The Philippines stands ready to contribute to these efforts, anchored in the belief that a stronger, more responsive rules-based order remains the best foundation for lasting peace and shared prosperity. *Andrew J. Masigan is the MEMRI China Media Studies Project Special Advisor. He is a Manila-based economist, businessman, and political columnist for The Philippine Star. Masigan's articles in MEMRI are also published in The Philippine Star.
GMA Network
07-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Teodoro bares plans for Balabac, Palawan air and naval base
An airbase and naval station are being eyed to be built in Balabac, Palawan, Defense Secretary Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro said Saturday. In an interview with the media, Teodoro said the construction includes a joint-use runway for the use of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). "Mag-iinspeksiyon tayo, dahil ang runway ay ang CAAP. Titingin tayo ng lugar kung saan talaga puwede na maglagay ng airbase at ng naval base," Teodoro said. (We will conduct an inspection, the runway will be for CAAP. We will look for an area where we can actually put an airbase and a naval base.) "Ang report sa akin ay 'yung Air Force side at 'yung naval side ay magkatabi. 'Yun nga lang, may lupain na kailangan kunin para buo 'yung lugar, isahan na lang," he added. (The report I received is that the Air Force side and the naval side will be next to each other. However, there is a piece of land that needs to be acquired first to construct an all-in-one area.) Strategic location According to Teodoro, Balabac serves as a strategic location for the country in an area where foreign vessels, including those of China, often take their route. It is one of the largest islands in the southwest Philippines, where the South China Sea and Sulu Sea merge. "Minsan dumadaan talaga rito ang Chinese vessels. At ito kapag hindi nadama or hindi nagkaroon ng presence, napakadali na abusuhin ng foreign influence and other inappropriate and illegal activities," said Teodoro. (Chinese vessels actually pass through here. When it is not felt or there is no presence, the place is very easy to be abused by foreign influence and other inappropriate and illegal activities.) He said the construction of the naval station is eyed "as soon as possible, depending on the funding." Further, the Western Command (WESCOM) and PAF are also eyeing the construction of a health center in the municipality to address the medical needs of its residents. 'All-in-One Bayanihan' Teodoro also led the 'All-in-One Bayanihan' community outreach activity held in Balabac on Friday. Combined forces of Go Share Philippines, the Balabac local government unit, Balabac District Hospital, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sought to deliver free services and aid to communities in need in the municipality. Donations were turned over, including school supplies, food packs, water filters, and wheelchairs. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
Miami Herald
03-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
US Ally Sends Strong Warning to China
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. 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. 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. 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. Related Articles Map Tracks Chinese Aircraft Carrier Near US AlliesChina Says US Violated Trade Truce With Three MovesUS Announces 'Game Changer' Missile Upgrade to Rival ChinaMap Shows China's Arms Sales Footprint Around the World 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
