Lokshin Grigory

The Philippines at the forefront of controversy

ЮГО-ВОСТОЧНАЯ АЗИЯ: АКТУАЛЬНЫЕ ПРОБЛЕМЫ РАЗВИТИЯ, 2012, №19, 201-222

 
Annotation: Dr. G. Lokshin devotes his paper to the role of the Philippines in the territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The Philippines together with Vietnam are the most active opponents of China which recently claimed sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea and its rich natural resources. The author examines in detail the recent confrontation between China and the Philippines in April-June 2012 near Scarborough Shoals (the Spratly Islands) which is claimed by the Philippines. He analyzes the latest diplomatic initiatives of the Philippines in search of solution of the existing problems and its contradictions with other members of ASEAN. He comes to the conclusion that there is still a possibility to go on with the dialogue. Today the most important thing is to prevent interference of nonregional forces.

Keywords: SOUTH CHINA SEA, SPRATLY ISLANDS, PHILIPPINES