Manila Dialogue Shows Growing Taiwan-Philippines Security Cooperation
REPORTER:
The Manila Dialogue on the South China Sea 2025 wrapped up last Friday. This year, a Taiwanese delegation attended, a sign of growing cooperation on security and maritime issues between Taiwan and the Philippines. The Chinese embassy in the Philippines protested Taiwan’s inclusion in the event. Our reporter Lery Hiciano spoke to Renato Cruz de Castro, distinguished professor at De La Salle University in Manila, about what this means moving forward.
Taipei
Lery Hiciano
TAIWANPLUS REPORTER
Last week, Manila hosted the South China Sea dialogue. In a first, there were Taiwanese participants present at the summit. What do you think this says about growing cooperation between Taiwan and the Philippines?
Manila
Renato Cruz de Castro
DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR
DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY
We have to cooperate, primarily because we are confronted with a common security challenge. In the case of the Philippines, we have issue with China over the South China Sea and more importantly, of course, on the part of the Philippines. It's also a recognition that we also have to protect the Luzon Strait, where, of course, Luzon Strait links Taiwan and the Philippines. And there's a growing recognition here in the Philippines that, of course, if China would be able to achieve its goal of of a forceful unification with Taiwan, that will have an impact on the Philippines
Taipei
Lery Hiciano
TAIWANPLUS REPORTER
Going back in the last few months or in the last year, what are some other examples of concrete cooperation between both sides? How does this fit into how does cooperation between Taiwan and the Philippines fit into broader regional dynamics?
Manila
Renato Cruz de Castro
DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR
DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY
Well, what has been constant, of course, is the cooperation between the Philippine Coast Guard and of course, the Republic of China Coast Guard.
Probably their other cooperation happening. But I'm not privy whether there's cooperation, of course, between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Republic of China Armed Forces.
Unfortunately, on the part of the Philippine government, especially in the past, uh, they have basically accepted what China has basically laid on, on the table, uh, the option of a one-China principle rather than a one-China policy.
The key challenge there is how to effect a security cooperation that will, uh, circumvent, of course, or on the part of the Philippines to recognize the fact that it's not actually implementing a one China policy, rather, it's pursuing a one China principle. So the burden is actually on the part of the Philippine government, a recognition to, uh, understand that there's a nuance between a one China principle and one China policy that is the responsibility of the Philippines on the side of the Philippines.
Taipei
Lery Hiciano
TAIWANPLUS REPORTER
How does cooperation between Taiwan and the Philippines fit into broader regional dynamics, either involving Japan, the US or other concerns about China's actions in the South China Sea or regionally?
Manila
Renato Cruz de Castro
DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR
DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY
I think there's also a recognition of the fact that there is a what they call the notion that this emerged from the Japanese, the notion of a one theater that Japan and the Philippines are, uh, you know, the face a common security challenge in the East China Sea and South China Sea. So both sides would need to cooperate. And, of course, between Japan and the Philippines is, of course, Taiwan.
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REPORTER:
That was Professor Renato Cruz de Castro speaking to us from Manila.
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