Rising China
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China’s rise is most challenging for states lying within its immediate land and maritime borders. Except perhaps for Vietnam, no country faces these challenges more acutely than the Philippines. The nature of any Philippine response must be multilateral wherever possible. In this context, the Philippines must bring its policy into congruence with the policies of regional actors such as ASEAN. The country must also act to strengthen international norms by encouraging a firmer coordinated response to combat China’s aggressive behavior.
Effective multilateral ties can be difficult to build however. Consequently, the Philippines must also strengthen bilateral ties across the region, including economic and military relations with Japan, a likely guarantor of US involvement in any crisis. Finally, and most importantly, economic and military ties with the US must continue to improve.
A closer relationship with the US nuclear community would complicate China’s power calculus while also limiting their policy options. Such ties would likely escalate tensions in an already hostile environment. The Philippines cannot hope to effectively rally its comparatively limited resources to respond to external conflicts so long as its domestic environment is characterized by corruption, deep class divisions, and a sense of hopelessness among the populace. Nationalism can go only so far in uniting a people.
In this regard, the AIM Rizalino S. Navarro Policy Center for Competitiveness (formerly AIM Policy Center), Stephen Zuellig Graduate School of Development Management, Philippine-American Educational Foundation, Asia Society, Management Association of the Philippines, and Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Association of the Philippines will hold a forum entitled “Rising China: Specific Policy Options for the Philippines and the United States” on 4 February 2015 from 8:30 to 11:30 AM at the ABS-CBN Caseroom, G/F Asian Institute of Management, Makati City. This event will feature Fulbright-SyCip Distinguished Lecturer, Dr. Michael Tkacik. The forum will close with two controversial points: nuclear weapons (and relatedly BMD) and the domestic environment in the Philippines.
The event is open to the public. However, seats are limited. To confirm your attendance, please contact Ms. Jean Labios at [email protected] or (02) 892-4011 ext. 5105.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Dr. Michael Tkacik received his B.A. from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). He earned his J.D. from Duke University School of Law. After practicing law in Los Angeles, Tkacik returned to academia where he received his M.A. in Political Science from Columbia University. Finally, Tkacik earned his Ph.D. from the University of Maryland (College Park).
In the United States Dr. Tkacik has briefed the commanding general of the Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force base in Omaha, Nebraska. Tkacik’s research focuses on national and international security. He has published on nuclear weapons, terrorism, autonomy issues, democracy and Islam, and regional issues.