The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) presented an ambitious plan to link Asia and Europe through infrastructure, gaining the buy-in of many countries. However, it soon became apparent that the loans associated with BRI led to debt traps for borrowing countries, strategically benefiting China. Critics dismissing debt trap diplomacy as a myth fail to acknowledge the control and gains China secures through these initiatives.
Category Archives: South China Sea
Manila Retracts Termination of VFA
On July 29, 2021, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held meetings with Senior Philippine Officials about geopolitical concerns in the region. Immediately following these talks, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte issued a statement that effectively retracts a termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which had been in place for the past 70 years. Old Friends,Continue reading “Manila Retracts Termination of VFA”
South China Sea – Peeling Back the Onion: The Chinese Maritime Militia
Over the course of the ongoing dispute over contested maritime interests in the South China Sea, China has continued to portray its vessels as innocent research or fishing boats. However, a wide trove of open source information exists on the Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) and its purpose. China openly boasts a naval fleet of vesselsContinue reading “South China Sea – Peeling Back the Onion: The Chinese Maritime Militia”
Philippines Security Watch 