Sensing an opportunity to weaken a growing political thorn in its side, China is escalating its pressure on Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos.

Beijing is infuriated by Marcos’s robust defense of his national sovereignty, especially in the South China Sea. Alongside other nations in the region, such as Vietnam, the Philippines is facing a nakedly imperialist effort by China to seize the near entirety of the South China Sea. While devoid of historical or legal foundation, Beijing’s claims are supported by vast fleets of coast guard and militia vessels. These fleets harass any foreign ships that attempt to operate in waters that China claims, including with the use of high-powered water cannons, acoustic devices, lasers, and ramming maneuvers. Marcos has resisted China’s claims over waters within the Philippines’s exclusive economic zone. This has greatly upset Beijing, bringing unwanted international scrutiny and helping to align South China Sea nations in a stronger challenge against it.