‘West Philippine Sea conflict threatens Czech Republic economy’

MANILA, Philippines —  The Philippines brought the realities of the South China Sea (SCS) to Central Europe in a forum to explain why a maritime dispute thousands of miles away poses a direct threat to economic stability of the Czech Republic.

The forum, recently hosted by the Philippine embassy in Prague and titled “Security in the Indo-Pacific,” gathered officials, diplomats, experts, academics and students to look into and discuss maritime security developments in the SCS, the relevant international legal framework namely – the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) – and how security and economic interests of the Czech Republic and the Philippines intersect and align in the SCS.

Philippine Ambassador to Czech Republic Eduardo Martin Meñez highlighted the Philippines’ 2016 legal victory against China. An UNCLOS arbitration tribunal ruled that China’s expansive “nine-dash line” historic rights claim over the SCS has no legal basis and confirmed that areas like the Recto (Reed) Bank, Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and Panganiban (Mischief) Reef areas are well within and belong to the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of the Philippines.

Meñez also provided an update on the situation on the water – noting the escalation of illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive actions by China contrary to international law, citing specific recent incidents including the Dec. 12 water cannon attack by the China Coast Guard that injured several Filipino fisherfolk.

The ambassador underscored that upholding the award is fundamentally a defense of the UNCLOS and the global legal architecture, as well as an act of strategic self-interest for the Czech Republic due to the direct impact of SCS instability on European economic stability and supply chains.

He pointed out that an estimated $3.4 trillion in global trade passes through these waters every year. And if conflict blocks these shipping lanes, the supply of critical goods – like the semiconductors needed for the Czech automotive industry – could be cut off.

David Gardas, an analyst from the Prague-based think tank Project Sinopsis, agreed and explained that this is not just an Asian problem. He detailed the systemic challenges posed by China’s “gray-zone” tactics and dual-use infrastructure in the SCS, emphasizing that outcomes in the region will influence the future Indo-Pacific security order.

“Crucially, his analysis also connected stability in the SCS directly to European interests, noting that the area is a key trade artery for EU maritime commerce and supply chains and that Europe must act to uphold the UNCLOS and EU values against revisionist powers,” the embassy said.

Participants welcomed the forum for successfully reframing the South China Sea issue from a distant maritime dispute into a fundamental systemic challenge with direct implications for Czech and European economic and security interests.

The presentations and open discussion underscored strong parallels between the Philippines’ principled legal position under UNCLOS and the commitment of the Czech Republic and other like-minded partners to international law.

The year 2026 will mark the 10th anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award and the Philippines’ chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

“These milestones present valuable opportunities to deepen engagement with a broader network of partners and audiences in support of international law and a free, open and resilient South China Sea and Indo-Pacific,” the embassy said.