Prof Charithie B Joaquin Member of Faculty, NDCP Symposium on Philippines-China Relations: Building Opportunities in Times of Crisis 4 December 2013

National Security Policy  Promote external harmonious relationships with neighbors and the world at large  Pursue regional cooperation  Enhance cooperative security arrangements with allies and neighbors

2010 Defense Policy Paper “Meeting the Challenges to Philippine Defense and Security”  Int’l Defense & Security Engagement (IDSE)  Promote regional as well as global peace and security  Increase strategic engagements with foreign partners  Pursue defense level dialogue to develop strategic partnerships with Philippine friends and allies

Transforming the DND to Effectively Meet the Defense and Security Challenges of the 21st Century: A White Paper on Defense Transformation, July 2012  Bilateral and multilateral arrangements should be explored, enhanced, sustained, and promoted as a vehicle to collaborate for and meet regional concerns

To strengthen and expand friendly cooperation in the defense field on the basis of the principles of mutual respect for each other’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful co- existence, as set forth in the UN Charter and other universally recognized norms of the international law, so as to jointly safeguard regional and world peace stability, promote in-depth and all -round development of the good neighborly partnership of mutual trust between Parties

 Establishment of mechanism for an Annual Defense and Security Talks  Establishment of a Joint Technical Working Group  Exchange of military delegations and student tours of military academies  Strengthen exchanges and cooperation in such fields as counter-terrorism, humanitarian relief and rescue, etc

 Military diplomacy:  In PRC: Phil DAFA, ADA  FAFA in RP: DAFA, ADA  Framework of Engagement with China 2004 MOU on Defense Cooperation

 Regular Fora  Bilateral ▪ Annual Defense and Security Talks (since 2005)  Multilateral ▪ China-ASEAN Defense and Security Dialogue ▪ Xiangshan Forum ▪ 2010 Regional Security Forum (NDCP)

 Human Resources Development  NDU, GSC, Specialized Courses (11)  Educational visits ▪ Visit of the China Association for International Friendly Contact to Manila in 2004 ▪ NDCP MNSA Regular Class 41 visit to Beijing (2006) ▪ AFP CGSC Class 55 visit to Beijing and Shanghai (2012) ▪ “Biggest delegation so far of Philippine military officers to China showcases the strong, vibrant and comprehensive relations between the two countries”

 Territorial dispute is not the entire Philippine-China relations.  Continuously build confidence and cultivate trust between defense ministries and armed forces  Emphasis on non-traditional security concerns ie climate change, HADR

 “All-round development” towards regional stability  Intensified person-to-person engagement among civilian defense officials and military officers  Enhanced military-to-military relationships

1. Regular conduct the Annual Defense and Security Talks  Continue positive high-level engagement to clarify misunderstanding and build trust and confidence  Discuss issues of mutual concern: HADR, climate change, innovative approaches to conflict resolution

4 th ADSD held in Beijing on April 2013 Photo: YearVenue 1 st 2005Manila 2 nd 2006Beijing 3rd2007Manila 4th2013Beijing year hiatus

Discussed “evolving regional security situation” and bilateral defense relations Shows “respective thrusts to continue cultivating good relations notwithstanding divergence of position on certain issues” as the Years of Friendly Exchange for the Philippines and China “to further promote defense and military cooperation to include exchanges of personnel as well as collaboration in addressing the effects of natural disasters and climate change” Source:

Visit of General Liang Guanglie, State Councilor and Minister of National Defense, in 23 May Source: Both ministers put “premium in a peaceful region that is conducive to the development goals of both countries.” Sec Gazmin emphasized that unilateral actions which could cause alarm should be avoided.

2. Further strengthen person-to-person engagement  Enhance mechanism for defense civilians and military education/cultural exchanges/expert level exchanges  Establish mechanism for academic engagements (ie joint research, exchange of faulty, academic conference, etc) among defense colleges, universities and institutions (ie NDCP-NDU, AFP CGSC-PLA GSC)

Source: AFP Total: 92 On-going: 7 MOU Number of Filipino Military Scholars had completed course in China ( )

NDCP AFP GSC Number of Foreign Senior Military Officers & Defense Personnel who have taken the MNSA and the GSC (As of Oct 2013) Source: dela Pena (2013); Updated by author 24 64

3. Explore joint exercises on non- traditional issues  HADR  CBRN  Counter-Terrorism  Maritime Security

 Security cooperation towards regional stability and development is shared by both parties.  Conflicts can be prevented. There are constructive, proactive ways to approaching contested issues/managing conflicts.

 It is imperative that both parties continue to rebuild trust especially among key defense officials and military officers.  There should be constant dialogue/exchange to clarify intent and eventually build shared norms. Photo taken in West Lake, Zheijang Province, China by Michael Lai