Theseus in the South China Sea: Stimulus, Orientations, and Momentum of the Paradigm- Shifting Philippines

Beginning with the Minotaur in the South China Sea, the focus initially rests on the China stimulus for the paradigm shift by the Philippines. [...] In other words, the confrontation between the United States and China in the southern segment of the first island chain has also given rise to a tactical landscape where the security situation in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea are interlinked. [...] Despite the eighth bilateral consultation mechanism meeting on the South China Sea between the Philippines and China held in Shanghai on January 17, 2024, reaffirming that the South China Sea dispute is not the entirety of the bilateral relationship, the Marcos government can no longer tolerate the facade of false friendship. [...] alliance, the Philippines have actively sought regional assistance to counter China in the South China Sea, including the acquisition of vessels from Japan and South Korea to help modernize the Philippine armed forces; promoting the Reciprocal Access Agreement between the Philippines and Japan to maintain peace in the South China Sea; and utilizing the newly established strategic partnership betwe. [...] alliance.” At the declaration of the “alliance modernization,” the Philippines and the United States reaffirmed the Mutual Defense Treaty as the cornerstone of their 56 Taiwan Strategists No.