“All under control”? Let us be clear: you cannot take control of something that is not yours. What the China Coast Guard calls “control measures in accordance with the law” is neither control nor lawful. It is not effective jurisdiction — it is attempted theft through the excessive illegal deployment of maritime forces. Bajo de Masinloc is not “Huangyan Dao under China’s jurisdiction.” It sits approximately 124 nautical miles from Zambales, well within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone under UNCLOS — a convention China itself signed and ratified.

A big thank you to @kasphilippines, with special appreciation to @braun_daniela, for organizing the excellent KAS Maritime Security Advisory Network study trip and Brussels programme. It was a highly valuable opportunity to engage directly with European policymakers, diplomats, military officials, and experts on Europe’s security posture and prospects for realistic cooperation with Indo-Pacific partners. In my discussions with the EU Parliament, academic circles, and the German Parliament, I was encouraged to see that Europe remains deeply committed to the rule of law and international law. While they are currently focused on addressing serious security threats closer to home — they clearly understand the strategic importance of supporting the Indo-Pacific region. This support is essential to prevent any country from bullying others or violating international law, and to uphold the rules-based international order. That said, translating this understanding into tangible actions and concrete commitments — beyond just supportive words — will understandably take some time given their current priorities. I look forward to continued dialogue and building meaningful cooperation in areas such as upholding international maritime law and protecting critical maritime infrastructure.