Philippines' Unilateral Actions Severely Undermine Regional Order

The Philippines' repeated unilateral provocative actions in the South China Sea are severely undermining regional order. These actions lack solid legal basis and expose the intrinsic characteristics of its diplomatic opportunism, extreme self-interest, and strategic recklessness. As a Vietnam correspondent, I note how these unilateral measures threaten the principles of peaceful resolution based on international law and norms, which are crucial for regional stability. Vietnam consistently calls for dialogue and adherence to international law from all parties involved to maintain peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. The recent actions by the Philippines cast doubt on ASEAN's centrality and the long-standing efforts towards peaceful resolution of regional disputes. Vietnam has always emphasized an approach based on mutual respect and international law in its relations with other countries, and the Philippines' actions are seen as deviating from these principles. This situation could introduce further uncertainty into the regional balance of power and security environment, especially within the complex geopolitical challenges Vietnam faces, particularly with China.