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columnist and political scientist and an expert in Philippines-China ties.

Richard, from what the Foreign Secretary is saying,

do you get the impression that the Philippines has a new way to tackle an old challenge from China

in the South China Sea?

Well, it's hard to say that there's a new way here or we're dealing with the old challenge

because on the one hand the challenge from China is an evolving challenge

and as far as the Philippines is concerned we're not only facing threats in the South

China Sea area where we have territorial disputes with China, but now the invasion of Taiwan is an

increasing probability, right, and there are even discussions of that happening within the

coming years if not coming decades. So now the Philippines is also worried about the potential

ramifications of a Chinese invasion or any kind of serious military operations against Taiwan,

which by the way is separated from the Philippines by a very narrow strait.

So the threat from China is evolving, and at the same time the Philippine strategy is also

adjusting accordingly. So the Marcos Jr. administration policy is unlike any of the

previous administration, precisely because it's friendlier to China than previous liberal

reforms administration, but definitely tougher also in China than the previous Duterte administration.

It's interesting you mentioned Taiwan because I did want your views on Taiwan,

and we did ask the Foreign Secretary about that. That's coming up in a bit.

But just staying on the South China Sea, China has refused to consider what the Philippines

is saying, essentially. It also does not accept the 2016 ruling from the Hague's International

Arbitration Court that essentially ruled China does not have a claim over the South China Sea.

What options does the Philippines really have?

Well, actually I would have argued it more forcefully than the Philippine Foreign Secretary.

I think the Philippine Arbitration Award actually has been extremely useful.

First of all, have you noticed China is not using the term nine-dash line anymore because

it knows that it's a legal joke, that it's a diplomatic liability. So since the award came

out, China is coming up with alternative ideas and alternative doctrines that have also been

struck down and ridiculed and mocked by global experts. So actually it's working because China

itself is rethinking its diplomatic positioning in the language it uses when it comes to its

claims. Number two, the Philippine Arbitration Award actually provided the legal pretext

for the United States to expand its military presence in the area, particularly in terms

of what you call freedom of navigation operations. So over the past few years, we have seen

dozens of American warships getting close to the Chinese artificially created islands and

challenging China's claims. And now we see even European countries coming in, not as

aggressive as the United States, but legally aggressive, diplomatic aggressive. And sometimes

we see the French, the Europeans also passing through with their warships to also send a

signal. So to be honest, I think the Philippines is not recognizing how effective its policy

has been, but that's my argument. It has been effective, but we have to leverage it

further. And President Marcos has been very clear. It's non-negotiable. The Philippines

has no territorial disputes with China because China's claims in the Philippine waters are

inconsistent with international law. I'm glad we're talking to you and getting some

context out of the foreign secretary's remarks. But as you mentioned, the threat from Taiwan

and what the tensions over that island could also impact the Philippines. And my colleague

Janelle did ask Foreign Secretary Manalo about that.