HDFF Chairman’s Circle/ Strategic Forum widens the view into Maritime Security – another convincing and successful event !
“Renewed Tensions and Continuing Maritime Security Dilemma in the South China Sea and Implications for International Shipping”
Friday, March 25, 2011
April is considered a inconvenient month to conduct events, therefore HDFF decided to conduct the 4th HDFF Chairman’s Circle supported by IRPC on Friday, March 25, 2011, in the afternoon at the Pullman Hotel, Bangkok.
The maritime security topic of the day coped with the increasing tensions in the South China Sea where security anxieties continue to pervade in the strategic agenda of many states in the Asia Pacific despite all the countless confidence building measures (CBMs) that have been undertaken since the end of the cold war. In this particular part of the Asia Pacific, there are two major territorial disputes causing security tensions and significantly affecting the overall regional peace and stability – the East China Sea Dispute and the South China Sea Dispute. Territorial disputes in the East and South China Sea punctuated by China’s sturdy military rise compound the long standing security dilemma of states in the region.
As Thailand is not a direct involved ASEAN country in this conflicts it was from utmost importance to have an international recognized guest speaker from an involved nation, in this case the Philippines, as a knowledgeable presenter:
Prof. Rommel C. Banlaoi , Executive Director and Chairman of the Board of Trustees - Philippine Institute for Political Violence and Terrorism Research
The guest speaker is the Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research (PIPVTR) and Head of its Centre for Intelligence and National Security Studies (CINSS). He is also a Senior Fellow at the Yuchengco Centre in Manila and a member of the Board of the Philippine Association of Chinese Studies (PACS). He was a Professor in Political Science and International Relations at the National Defence College of the Philippines (NDCP) where he once served as Vice President for Administrative Affairs and Assistant Vice President for Research and Special Studies. He became Assistant Professor in International Studies at De La Salle University (DLSU), Manila and Instructor in Political Science at the University of the Philippines, Los Banos (UPLB). He also served as University Research Associate at the University of the Philippines (UP), Diliman where he took is BA, MA and PhD (ABD status) in Political Science. He the author of several books, monographs and journal articles on Philippine security issues, Philippine foreign policy, regional security and terrorism. His latest books are Philippine Security in the Age of Terror published by CRC Press/Taylor and Francis (2010, New York and London) and Counter-Terrorism Measures in Southeast Asia: How Effective Are They? published by Yuchengco Center (Manila, 2009).
His forthcoming book is entitled Renewed Tensions in the South China Sea: Maritime Security Dilemma in the Philippines and the Asia Pacific.
Participants from INGO, UN organizations and businesses were mesmerized by the colorful slide supported presentation of Prof. Rommel about the South China Sea issue from a Philippine perspective and the respective regional repercussions.
Prof. Rommel Banlaoi moderated by Dr. Wilfried A. Herrmann, Executive Director
The South China Sea is currently tense because of unresolved territorial claims and maritime boundary disputes. The area has become a source of renewed inter-state rivalries because the disputes have become closely associated with interrelated issues of energy security, food security, territorial security, maritime security and military security. All these issues have intensified the maritime security dilemma not only of littoral states but also other major powers and stakeholders. But the major source of maritime security dilemma in East and South China Sea is the military rise of China. From an economic power, China is fast becoming a sea power that can alter the balance of military power in the Asia Pacific. Ameliorating the maritime security dilemma associated with the military rise of China is essential for regional peace, stability and prosperity. Comprehensive engagement is deemed necessary to develop good and friendly relations with China so its rise will not be inimical to regional and global security.
Lively discussions after Prof. Rommel’s presentation
The event was held under the Chatham House Rules which means that information gained during this event may be used. However, the person sharing the information must not be named.
HDFF would like to take the opportunity to thank the amazing guest speaker who received on 16 April 2011 the Philippine Peace Price as well as the participants for their energetic involvement making this 4th HDFF Chairman’s Circle really thriving.
HDFF Executive Director Dr. Wilfried A. Herrmann (seated middle) with Prof. Rommel Banlaoi (PIPVTR/ seated second right) and some of the participants of the 4th HDFF Chairman’s Circle
The next HDFF Chairman’s Circle/Strategic Forum which will continue to be held as a half day monthly event will commence on 26 May 2011 dealing with the situation in Indonesia or Malaysia. More information will be posted soon on the website or can be obtained via event@hdff.org
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