The Philippines is confronting growing Chinese pressure around Scarborough Shoal, where Beijing has intensified military patrols, coast guard operations and marine scientific research inside Manila's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). At the same time, the Philippines is expanding its security partnerships, opening negotiations with the United Kingdom on a visiting forces agreement that could deepen joint training and maritime cooperation. As ASEAN officials gather in Manila to discuss regional security and the long-delayed South China Sea Code of Conduct, the challenge is no longer just preventing the next confrontation — but responding to China's gradual expansion of control. Is Beijing creating a new system of dominance around Scarborough Shoal, and can diplomacy and new security partnerships keep pace? In this episode, we examine China's evolving gray-zone strategy, the Philippines' response, and what the latest developments mean for ASEAN, Taiwan and the South China Sea.
*Recorded on September 8, 2026 at 4pm Taiwan Standard Time
Host: Ethan Liu
Producer: Miguel Yang
Videographer: Celest Kao
Our guests:
Tsai Jung-hsiang
- National Chung Cheng University Political Science Professor
Aries Arugay
- University of the Philippines Diliman Political Science Professor
32:39
26:36
26:16
25:21
26:01
26:41
26:24
26:31
25:45
24:27
26:29
23:40
24:46
26:17
25:37
24:47