‘Europe can help build defense industries in PH’ to counter China–ex-AFP chief
Europe can play an important economic and security role in Asia amid the rising challenges posed by China in the region, a retired Philippine military chief said.
China continues to undermine the rules-based international order in the South China Sea, and there is “no one else who can better understand the implications of that than the Europeans,” retired Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, a former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff, said at a recent security conference in Belgium.
The world economy and global stability are at stake with China’s assertiveness, as the global supply chain could be disrupted and conflicts could involve the rest of the world, he said.
“In the West Philippine Sea, China is getting more aggressive and violent not just against Filipino fishermen but also against its coast guard and navy vessels. This has become the Philippine’s greatest security challenge,” Bautista said.
Beijing’s assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea has steadily increased in recent years, resulting in heightened tensions with other claimant states, including the Philippines. China claims nearly the entire sea based on its so-called “nine-dash line” invalidated by a 2016 arbitral ruling.
Developing defense industries
While some European countries have already participated in joint patrols with the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea, which is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, they should be consistent and more countries should join, he said. Europe can also help build defense industries in the Philippines, aside from being a source of defense materiel.
“We hope that more than purely business, there is also a strategic interest to it. More than simple sales, transactions can include helping us develop our defense industries,” Bautista pointed out.
“These can complement your own and add to our collective production capacity. Our intent is to be more capable and to achieve a modicum of self-reliance. This will enable us to contribute more meaningfully to collective deterrence,” he said.
Europe could also call out China’s behavior with its “big voice” and influence, Bautista said, and “will surely be heard in Asia where there is still reluctance to call out China’s disregard of international norms,” he said.
“If more countries speak out, the rest will have the courage to do so as well. With social pressure China may begin to consider restraining its action,” he added.
Strategic considerations
Europe could also help the Philippines build economic resilience. “We can only stand up to economic coercion if we have strong economies. Greater collaboration and complementation can help achieve that, motivated by strategic considerations and not just purely business,” Bautista said.
The Philippines, being “a frontline state in the defense of a rules-based international order,” can be “a dependable and responsible partner and ally,” he said.
“We should all realize that we need to work together if we are to prevent the breakdown of the rules-based international order. The intent (is) to prevent conflict,” he added.
