ASOG hosts a webinar on the recently concluded 20th Party Congress of the CCP

On January 27, 2023, the Ateneo School of Government, through the Ateneo Policy Center, hosted a closed-door webinar titled “The Implications of the Chinese Communist Party’s 20th Party Congress to the Indo-Pacific’s Security and Economy” via Webex. The event aimed to acquaint ASOG faculty, Master in Public Management students, and other invited participants with the dynamics within the CCP and appropriate responses for the Indo-Pacific region apropos of the 20th Party Congress.

Ms. Ivyrose Baysic, head of the Ateneo Policy Center, opened the program with a remark on the unprecedented emerging affairs surrounding national security across the globe. Key takeaways from the party’s assembly were presented as a springboard for the main discussion.

As chief speaker of the forum, Dr. Shuh-Fan Ding gave a rundown of the event, addressing these facts as signals of a bleaker outlook for China. This includes Xi Jinping’s consolidation of power in the party, China’s priority on national security and internal regulatory crackdowns, the continuity of the zero-covid policy, and an emerging wolf-warrior diplomacy. The disparity between turnarounds in China after the 20th Party Congress and an analysis of Xi’s goals was also emphasized by Dr. Ding.

Joining the forum as discussants were Dr. Jyun-Yi Lee, Associate Research Fellow, Division of National Security Institute Research Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR), RADM Rommel Jude Ong (Ret.), MDM, Professor of Praxis and Senior Research Fellow Ateneo School of Government, and Dr. Ronald Mendoza, Senior Research Fellow and Former Dean Ateneo School of Government, who, drawing from their expertise, raised issues for broader consideration.

Dr. Jyun-Yi Lee broached the topic of vigilance amidst Xi’s motivation to reassert China’s role in the world, risking its incompatibility with the international order of sovereign states. Acting on this knowledge, Dr. Lee suggests a risk assessment of any engagement with China.

On the other hand, RADM Rommel Jude Ong (Ret.), MDM, tackled territorial disputes in the South China Sea. He recommended pursuing an independent foreign policy to protect the Philippines from China’s maritime ambition through partnerships and collaboration on maritime and geopolitical fronts.

Dr. Ronald Mendoza capped off the forum by offering a perspective on China's decoupling driven by US policies. Focusing on the evolution in US-China economic ties, Dr. Mendoza stressed rising anti-China rhetoric, including the US’ apprehension over China’s growing economic and technological ascendance. Such a development warns of “stronger attempts at decoupling—potentially forcing a broad array of economic actors [across the globe] to rethink and recalibrate their participation in international value chains that also involve China,” said Dr. Mendoza.

To conclude the webinar, Dr. Philip Arnold P. Tuaño shared his thoughts on cooperative security. Responding to the need for greater vigilance in the event of greater security, political, and economic aggression in the Indo-Pacific region, Dr. Tuaño argued: “Greater focus on cooperation, which may include the development of international laws and regulations that can be used to govern territorial disputes and the establishment of international mechanisms for dispute resolution can be organized. This can help ensure that territorial disputes are resolved peacefully and pragmatically. And the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nations in regions are respected and upheld. Therefore, the challenge in the Philippines is how to undertake an executive policy that addresses these concerns.”