New ‘Squad’ bloc could allow Philippines to ‘borrow strength’ of Australia, Japan, US to counter China

The quadrilateral marks the latest regional partnership Washington has forged to counter Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the region.

He added that Washington had made clear to all nations, including China, that Beijing’s recent behaviour in the disputed waterway was “irresponsible” and “disregards international law”.

“Squad countries are strong maritime nations, having keen commercial interests in the conflicting South China Sea to the East China Sea.

“Having official backing among the navies of these four countries makes sense, and hence eventually the Squad might emerge as a more institutionalised or formalised grouping,” Panda said.

Noting the Squad would complement the Quad, Panda said the two groupings would lead to a more “versatile power distribution” where “powers and responsibilities are shared”.

“There is an opportunity and chance for the Squad and the Quad to coexist,” Panda said.

Yoichiro Sato, professor of Asia-Pacific Studies at Japan’s Ritsumeikan Asia-Pacific University, said “Manila will remain focused on borrowing the strength of the other three countries in deterring China’s challenges” against its maritime claims in the South China Sea.

“The two overlapping four-party arrangements allow more cohesion within each group, allowing both India and the Philippines to work within their comfort levels” with Australia, Japan and the US, Sato added.

Joshua Espeña, vice-president of the International Development and Security Cooperation think tank in Manila, said the Squad grouping signalled Washington’s continued resolve in integrating all its Indo-Pacific allies to contain China’s “excessive claims in the region”.

“The inclusion of the Philippines implies that Manila is no longer viewed as a junior partner,” he