From April 2nd to April 5th, 2023, the delegation of the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative (SCSPI) led by Director Hu Bo, visited the Philippines to exchange views on the China-Philippines relation and maritime-related issues, in order to promote academic and think tank connection with institutions in Manila.
Delegation with Foreign Service Institute (FSI) in Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
On April 3rd, the SCSPI delegation attended a public media forum titled “PH-CN Relations Against Stress on the SCS”.
SCSPI delegation and PH counterparts
More than 100 researchers, media reporters, diplomats and government officials attended the forum on site and online. Institutions and media attended the forum includes Integrated Development Studies Institute (IDSI), the Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies (ACPH), Association for Philippines-China Understanding (APCU), SMNI News, South China Morning Post, The Manila Times, China Daily, GMA News, ABS-CBN, etc.
SCSPI Director Hu Bo speaking at the Media Forum
Dr Yan Yan speaking at the Media Forum
Media reports on the Media forum
On April 4th, the SCSPI delegation attended a roundtable discussion in the Asian Center of University of Philippines. Research institutions and think tanks also participating the roundtable includes the Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies (ACPH), Integrated Development Studies Institute (IDSI), the Philippines Association for Chinese Studies (PACS), Philippines-China Mutual Cooperation Society Inc. (PCMCSI), etc.
SCSPI Delegation and PH counterparts
Media reports on the Roundtable Discussion
Speakers and discussants expressed views on varies issues such as EDCA, Code of Conduct (COC), regional security, China-Philippines bilateral relations, oil and gas joint exploration etc.
About 160 people participated on site and online, including General Victor Navarro Corpus, Chief of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), Ernie Abella, former Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary, as well as representatives from maritime-related government departments, academic institutions and think tanks.
Dr Lei Xiaolu speaking at the Roundtable Discussion
Dr Zheng Zhihua speaking at the Roundtable Discussion
SCSPI
With a view to maintaining and promoting the peace, stability and prosperity of the South China Sea, we launched the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative (SCSPI) in April of 2019. The Initiative aims to integrate intellectual resources and open source information worldwide and keep track of important actions and major policy changes of key stakeholders and other parties involved. It will provide professional data services and analysis reports to parties concerned, helping them keep competition under control, and with a view to seek partnerships.