The Philippines is facing intensifying pressure from China in the South China Sea after a Chinese Coast Guard vessel collided with a Philippine government boat delivering fuel to fishers near Sabina Shoal. As both sides trade accusations over what happened, Manila argues the incident shows Beijing is expanding its pressure beyond military resupply missions to target ordinary civilian activities at sea. At the same time, Taiwan and the Philippines are quietly deepening ties through a coast guard vessel transfer, plans for a new Taiwanese representative office in Cebu, and growing maritime cooperation — moves that have drawn sharp criticism from Beijing. Are these separate developments, or part of a broader contest over influence and security in the region? In this episode, we examine the latest confrontation in the South China Sea, the evolving Taiwan–Philippines relationship, and what these developments could mean for regional deterrence and the future of the Indo-Pacific.
*Recorded on September 22, 2026 at 5pm Taiwan Standard Time
Host: Rath Wang
Producer: Miguel Yang
Videographer: Damon Lin
Our guests:
Chen Fang-yu
- Soochow University Political Science Professor
K. Tristan Tang
- Taiwanese Defense Studies Initiative Co-Founder
Rommel Ong
- Retired Rear Admiral and Former Philippine Navy Vice Commander
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