Philippines is on the front line of South China Sea tensions, but ‘WWII-style war’ with China unlikely

Today, against the backdrop of Filipino reservists being deployed in northern Philippine islands less than 200km from Taiwan, and the United States military’s involvement in developing a port in that region, the Philippine leader’s remarks are seen to carry an eerie historical context.

Will stronger Philippine-Australia ties lead to Western support in South China Sea?

Manila is currently mired in a maritime dispute with Beijing that has slowly been escalating in intensity, with China’s forces becoming increasingly forceful in asserting its claims. Chinese ships have all but blockaded a…