Maritime Security in the South China Sea: US and Philippine Perspectives

This panel examines the legal and strategic dimensions of maritime security in the South China Sea, bringing together leading scholars and practitioners to explore one of the world’s most consequential regional disputes from the Filipino and American perspectives. Speakers will discuss the historical background of competing maritime claims, the legal frameworks governing them, and the significance of the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling involving the Philippines and China. The conversation will also analyze the broader geopolitical and legal implications of actions taken by regional and global actors and consider how this dispute shapes international legal norms and regional security dynamics. Please help us get a headcount for catering by registering here! 

Filipino breakfast will be catered from Kuya Jay’s Ube Kafe.

Speakers:

Andrew Erickson, Professor of Strategy Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute

Jacqueline Joyce F. Espenilla ‘14, Assistant Professor at the University of the Philippines College of Law; Senior Research Fellow at the UP Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea; Legal Adviser to Philippine National Security Council, Department of Foreign Affairs, and Philippine Delegation during the BBNJ Treaty negotiations

James Kraska, Professor of International Maritime Law at the Naval War College; Visiting Professor of Law at HLS

Andrew Loewenstein, Partner at Foley Hoag; Counsel for the Philippines during the PCA 2016 case Philippines v. China

Moderator: Shawn Haq ‘27, Co-President of HLS National Security Law Association