Beijing often declares its citizens in danger when it wants to punish a government or discredit its critics, and the sudden recall of Chinese teachers from Philippine schools fits that pattern. Nothing shows the teachers were endangered by those who document Beijing's influence networks; what the record does show is a Party that plays them, and the Chinese-Filipino students they taught, as cards in a political game.

Its current board took its oath of office from China's ambassador. Its delegations are received inside the United Front Work Department's building in Beijing. A Beijing council chaired by a member of the Politburo Standing Committee calls it "the backbone force" of anti-independence work in the Philippines. Yet its SEC filings tell the Philippine government it exists merely "to promote good relations and camaraderie." So what exactly is the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Associations of the Philippines, and why is it so important to the Chinese party-state?

China's delegation slipped Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro a handwritten note onstage in Seoul on September 8, and he read it out loud for the world to hear. Then he sat down with Jim Carouso and me to explain the pattern it belongs to.

Chinese Communist Party-backed groups have become the main brokers between PRC institutions and Chinese-language schools in the Philippines, structuring teacher training, testing and curriculum. Taiwan has already banned exchanges with some of these same schools, including Jinan University -- the one that hosts the "Center for Philippine Studies" that organized the infamous Batanes-claim symposium.

How Malaysia can Address the Scourge of Shadow Tankers off its Coast

Beijing's Party-state targeting of Manila's Chinese-language newsrooms is comprehensive and escalating — from ambassadorial visits and front-page columns to all-expenses-paid tours of China and joint ceremonies with United Front media. The Philippines is the clearest case of a regional pattern, but certainly not the only one.

China just sent a coordinated multi-agency formation of ships into the Western Pacific in move its own media have brazenly labeled a declaration of sovereignty.

“I am a militiaman. If I’m given the order, I’ll set sail.”

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China is like a burglar appointing himself neighborhood watch captain, while self-righteously explaining that locking your doors against him violates homeowners association rules.

The project is expected to significantly expand the coastguard’s fleet at a time of growing operational demands in Philippine waters.

Failure of communication amid heightened tensions raises fears of accidental clash

The Philippines has released footage showing a patrol aircraft flying past a militarized Chinese artificial island on Saturday while conducting surveillance in the contested Spratly Islands, and claims the Chinese side fired flares toward the plane.

A U.S. Navy destroyer was spotted operating near Chinese forces at Scarborough Shoal this week by a Philippine Coast Guard aerial patrol.

China continues to strengthen its control over the hotly contested South China Sea, as recent analysis of satellite imagery appears to show that its artificial island outposts in the region have bolstered their intelligence, electronic warfare and defensive capabilities.

On December 1, the 47th Chinese naval escort taskforce arrived in Singapore for a four-day technical stop.

New Zealand's biggest navy ship HMNZS Aotearoa has made a trip through the sensitive Taiwan Strait.

China has deployed three research ships to the Indian Ocean, a region considered part of India's sphere of influence, as Beijing continues to expand its maritime presence.

For years, China has promoted the idea of “shelving disputes” in the South China Sea and focusing on areas of cooperation. Southeast Asian claimants—Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam—have been receptive to this approach to varying degrees. While this strategy brings significant economic benefits, it carries substantial long-term risks for their territorial claims and regional security interests.

A China Coast Guard (CCG) ship spotted off Zambales has left the area after being shadowed and issued a radio challenge by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).