The Philippines is in for a ‘long-term struggle’ with China over territory, Manila’s defense secretary tells CNBC The Philippines’ national defense secretary, Gilberto Teodoro, stated that the maritime struggle with China over the South China Sea is intensifying and that the Philippines is prepared for a long-term conflict. China claims almost all of the sea, including areas within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, and continues its expansionist actions. Teodoro indicated that success would involve halting China’s further advancement and construction of artificial islands in the region.

• The Philippines’ defense secretary, Gilberto Teodoro, described the maritime struggle with China as increasingly intense.
• China claims most of the South China Sea, overlapping with the exclusive economic zones of countries like the Philippines.
• Teodoro stated the Philippines is in for a “long-term struggle” and is defending its exclusive economic zone.
• The Philippines has pursued negotiations and filed an arbitration case under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
• Success, according to Teodoro, would mean stopping China’s further advancement and construction of artificial islands.