JBA_22

Naval Drills among United States, Australia, Japan and Philippines against
China

Territorial Integrity is the principle under international law that nation-states should
not attempt to promote secessionist movements or to promote border changes in
other nation-states, nor impose a border change through the use of force.
(Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe)

The Philippine archipelago is bounded by the Philippine Sea, Celebes Sea, Sulu Sea
and the West Philippine Sea (WPS) – portions of the South China Sea. The
Philippines is famous for its enchantingly beautiful islands, rolling green mountains,
exotic beaches, amazing volcanoes, and unique wildlife and the Philippines is a
wonderful travel destination to be in.

In the early 1970s, China began claiming islands and various zones in the South
China Sea which includes the Spratly Islands within the WPS. It was only in 2016
when the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague issued its ruling in favor of the
Philippines on every count.

This ruling however, was not entirely honored by China. As China increased its
efforts on reclaiming islands of the SCS creating tension between the latter and the
Philippines. The Philippines is now increasing its security cooperation with the United
States, Australia and Japan.

At present, the alliance has already begun placing warships in certain areas within
the SCS though Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged the Philippines to
expeditiously work with China to seek an effective way to control the situation in the
South China Sea.

The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose purposes are to

maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve
international cooperation, and serve as a center for harmonizing the actions of nations.
China is among the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council
including United States, Russia, and United Kingdom. These countries have veto
powers in the UN.

The Philippine President, Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. is making efforts to gain alliance
with the members of the Association of SouthEast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and just
recently, the President strengthened the alliance with Indonesia – also a member of
ASEAN.

The Philippines’ alliance with the US, Australia and Japan against China would help
in settling the territorial disputes. If the permanent members of the UN will vote in
favor of one, China may exercise its veto power. However, with the alliance of
Philippines along with US, Australia and Japan, which are all big countries with
power, the Philippines could win against China.
China may be exercising all the rights provided in the UN but at some point, there
shall be exceptions. With the principle of territorial integrity, China should stop
reclaiming islands within the Philippine territory as if they do, they are promoting
chaos and building bars against the states.

Moreover, the members of the Security Council, China being one, have already
functioned continuously for as long as the UN began and China has already enjoyed
such functions even making use of them in many maritime disputes. If China
continues such actions, they may already be considered in abuse of their powers
provided in the UN.

Lastly, among the primary functions of the members of the Security Council is to
maintain international peace and security, investigate disputes and recommend
methods of adjustment of disputes. If China really practices such functions, then the
urge to claim parts of the West Philippine Sea should not be happening.