What's happened
The Philippines is bolstering its military presence in the South China Sea, notably on Thitu Island, to counter China's expansive claims in the region. President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr visited Mavulis Island, pledging further military improvements, as the Philippines strengthens defense alliances, particularly with the United States.
Why it matters
The Philippines's efforts to assert its rights in the South China Sea are crucial amid China's growing military presence in the region. The country's strategic alliances and military developments will impact regional stability and influence future interactions with China.
What the papers say
Al Jazeera reports on the historical context of Japanese occupation in the Philippines during World War II, highlighting the significance of the country's northernmost islands. The Japan Times and South China Morning Post focus on the current geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea, emphasizing the disparity between the Philippines and China in military capabilities and infrastructure.
How we got here
The Philippines has long-standing territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea, leading to increased tensions and military build-up in the region. The country's reliance on defense alliances, particularly with the United States, has become crucial in asserting its maritime claims and protecting its interests.
More on these topics
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The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Situated in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of about 7,641 islands that are broadly categorized under three main geographical divisions from
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Thitu Island, also known as Pag-asa Island, having an area of 37.2 hectares, is the second largest of the naturally occurring Spratly Islands and the largest of the Philippine-administered islands. It lies about 480 kilometres west of Puerto Princesa.
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The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean. It is bounded in the north by the shores of South China, in the west by the Indochinese Peninsula, in the east by the islands of Taiwan and northwestern Philippines, and in the south by B
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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Beijing, alternatively romanized as Peking, is the capital of the People's Republic of China. It is the world's most populous capital city, with over 21 million residents within an administrative area of 16,410.5 kmĀ².
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Batanes is an archipelagic province in the Philippines, administratively part of the Cagayan Valley region. It is the northernmost province in the country, and also the smallest, both in population and land area.