Editor’s Note
by Danica Jane Guieb, Lead Editor - Pacific Corridor Desk
Welcome to the Week 5 issue of The Pacific Corridor, where we explore the forces shaping our region’s future through the lens of three dynamic ASEAN member states: Vietnam, the Philippines, and Singapore!
In this issue, we begin with Vietnam, where the country’s recent enactment of its first Digital Technology Industry Law marks a major step in solidifying its position in the global digital economy, creating a stronger legal framework to support innovation, attract investment, and transition toward high-value technological growth. In the Philippines, Filipino fisherfolk continue to face economic hardship and security amid intensifying tensions in the West Philippine Sea, a term used by the Philippines to assert its maritime claims in contested waters, signaling the call for more firm, community-centered maritime policies that go beyond sovereignty claims. Meanwhile, in Singapore, recent diplomatic and defense engagements—from hosting the HMS Prince of Wales to forging new agreements with the Maldives—demonstrate a strategic yet principled approach to regional cooperation and ASEAN integration.
As you read through this issue, we hope these stories do more than just to inform. May they invite you to think deeper about how diplomacy manifests not only in official halls, agreements, and decision-making, but in everyday lives of people, shared spaces, and emerging industries. Developments across the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam reflect both national priorities and the region’s broader aspirations. In understanding these movements, you take part in the ongoing conversation shaping ASEAN’s role in a rapidly changing world—one where cooperation, resilience, and vision remain essential.
Vietnam 🇻🇳
System Upgrade: Vietnam Solidifies its Digital Aspiration with Landmark Digital Technology Industry Law
by Tri Vo, in Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam enacted its first comprehensive Law on the Digital Technology Industry in June 2025, laying the groundwork for a new phase of economic modernization. This new law sets up a unified legal structure to accelerate economic growth, attract higher-value foreign investment, and, ultimately, solidify Vietnam's position as a major player in the global digital economy.
For many years, Vietnam's rapidly growing tech sector has operated in a legal gray zone, bringing about uncertainty for both new market entrants and investors. The industry has long been defined by its dynamism, but the absence of a dedicated legal framework has been viewed as a major constraint on its future growth potential. This law directly addresses that legal gap by laying out rules for digital ownership, transparency, and consumer protection, which, in turn, will reduce investment risks by providing stable legal guardrails vital for long-term strategic planning.
The recently passed legislation clearly defines digital assets and lays out specific measures to help the sector develop further. It also establishes policy support and clarity for the sector. Indeed, a significant provision of the law involves the creation of conducive conditions for private enterprises to participate in the development of critical infrastructure for the digital technology sector. This demonstrates a dominant belief among Vietnam’s leadership that a dynamic and indigenous tech industry, operating within predictable legal guardrails, is essential for continuing the country’s growth trajectory. This is to help Vietnam move beyond an erstwhile model that substantially relies on labor-intensive manufacturing that has shown increasing signs of weakness in the face of surging global protectionist pressure.
The implications for stakeholders are tremendous. For Vietnamese tech firms, the law provides concrete support mechanisms in financial and labor aspects as well as a clearer go-to-market pathway, helping them scale up domestically and eventually move overseas to enter more markets. For foreign players, it offers enhanced legal clarity, turning Vietnam into an attractive destination for high-tech investment. The law’s commitment to a robust digital infrastructure also proves consequential for companies’ operational success.
Ultimately, however, the law’s effectiveness will depend on its application. The introduction of the new regulatory environment will require clear guidance from the government. Meanwhile, many challenges persist, including the need to develop a highly skilled digital workforce to meet future potential demands. In the end, the legislation is more than just a collection of sterile legal provisions; it is an unequivocal articulation of Vietnam's national vision and aspiration for the country’s development in the next decades of the 21st century. More importantly, the law marks a paradigm shift for Vietnam, from passive participant to actively shaping the digital technology sector’s future. As the nation starts to carry out this transformational policy, it sends a strong signal that Vietnam is not just open for business but is also building the house itself, brick by brick.
Tri has experience in management consulting and strategy, having worked with institutions such as the UNDP, The Asia Group, and ARC Group. He has provided strategic, legal, and operational insights to clients in sectors including manufacturing, energy, and technology. He holds both academic and professional experience related to Southeast and East Asia, with a focus on regional development and policy.
The Philippines 🇵🇭
On the Frontlines of the Sea: Life and Livelihood for Filipino Fisherfolk
by Arianne De Guzman, in Bulacan
While diplomatic discourse surrounding the Philippine-China maritime conflict between the Philippines and China over the West Philippine Sea, a term the Philippines uses to assert its sovereignty over territorial waters within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), mainly centers on issues of sovereignty and military capability, the real impact is felt in the livelihoods and safety of Filipino fisherfolk and coastal communities.
As part of the Philippines’ recent maritime transparency campaign, local reports and newly released images dating back to 2023 have challenged China’s claims of purely peaceful activity and exposed increasingly aggressive actions. Recently, China attempted to block the airing of a documentary titled “Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea.” However, the film’s organizer—the Doc Edge Festival in New Zealand—rejected China’s request, citing its commitment to artistic independence and freedom of expression.
The documentary spotlights the experiences of fisherfolk from Zambales, including Arnel Satam, who drew national attention in 2023 for taunting the China Coast Guard (CCG) at Scarborough Shoal. The documentary showed how Satam and his family in Subic struggled financially while attempting to navigate his medical issues. It also followed a group of fishers searching for four of their crewmates who went missing in December 2024. Some of them remain uncertain whether their missing peers survived or were rescued by the Vietnam Coast Guard. Meanwhile, fishing communities like these continue to face poor sales, worsened by the government’s decision to increase seafood imports, which has further undercut domestic demand.
Another fisherman, named Henrelito Empok, had the opportunity to share their experiences during a House hearing in 2024. He said that prior to the increased presence of the CCG, a budget of up to PHP 80,000 once sufficed for trips to Scarborough Shoal, where fishers usually catch skipjack tuna, covering fuel, ice, and other necessary resources. However, with intensified surveillance and reports of harassment by the CCG around the area, fishing operations costs have soared to PHP 200,000 as fisherfolk are forced to search for alternative fishing sites.
In coastal communities, fisherfolk remain determined to stay despite growing difficulty accessing fishing grounds. “We are ready to die here,” said Larry Hugo, head of the fisherfolk association in Pag-asa. He described how Chinese vessels chased their boats and monitored them using aircraft and drones. They also blocked resupply missions to Second Thomas Shoal and struck boats with water cannons. Nasreen Guarin, a midwife, said leaving isn’t feasible due to economic realities, noting, “There’s no mall, no shopping, no restaurants,” despite receiving aid.
China’s approach avoids large-scale confrontation but exerts steady pressure on non-governmental actors, affecting the livelihoods and morale of Filipino fisherfolk. Analysts and observers have pointed to the potential value of a government response focused on maritime and livelihood security. Such an approach may involve coordination among the government, civil society, and the private sector. Commonly proposed measures include fuel and livelihood subsidies, expanded access to coastal social services, improved incident reporting, and training in alternative income opportunities.
Some analysts have argued that civilian safety in contested waters is increasingly viewed as a core peace and security issue, complementary to, rather than separate, from, sovereignty concerns. In the Philippine context, safeguarding maritime claims, thus, also involves addressing the everyday welfare of coastal communities who live and work in these waters.
Arianne has worked in legal research at the Philippines Department of Justice and in policy research at De La Salle University’s Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance, supporting projects on systemic reform. She holds a degree in Political Science from Colegio de San Juan de Letran and is pursuing a master’s in Sociology at the University of the Philippines Diliman. She is also involved in youth development and grassroots advocacy through the Rotaract Club of Santa Maria.
Singapore 🇸🇬
Formidable Warships & Small Islands: SG’s Commitments beyond ASEAN, for ASEAN
by Nurul Aini, in Singapore
The docking of HMS Prince of Wales at the tourist Marina Bay Cruise Centre (MBCC) and the President of the Maldives’ visit to Singapore (SG) underpin SG’s pragmatic stance on multilateralism across nations of all sizes and stages of development. Singapore continues to build its strategic relationships, ensuring mutually beneficial cooperations through a principled and controlled composure.
The docking of the UK's formidable aircraft carrier on 23 June carries with it symbolic and geopolitical significance. Celebrating the 60th year of UK-SG diplomatic relations at the MBCC, British High Commissioner to SG Mr. Nik Mehta explained that the UK’s choice of such a public venue was intended to provide greater accessibility and visibility, ultimately fostering greater public engagement with the festivities. Set against the backdrop of Singapore’s iconic skyline, the aircraft carrier complements the city-states’s image as a Smart Nation. Additionally, there was a science and technology symposium and a panel discussion on defense and security that took place. These platforms enable knowledge exchange between scholars and participants, thereby foregrounding research, education, and deliberation as essential components of modern defense policy.
Moving forward, the UK, after a 28 year hiatus, will participate in the Exercise Bersama Lima with Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Singapore. The UK’s return to joint exercises in Southeast Asia is evidence of the nation’s commitment to the international rules-based order. As Singapore has championed the need for ASEAN’s collective engagement with other regions, Singapore and Malaysia’s engagement in the Exercise affirms the nations’ continued commitment to regional stability, with Malaysia setting an example under its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025.
As the warship HMS Prince of Wales disembarks from Singapore’s shore, it will voyage through the Indo-Pacific, with a stop in Japan to engage in joint operations with the US Navy in the South China Sea.
In other news, commemorating the 50th year of diplomatic relations between SG and the Maldives, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu visited Singapore from 30 June to 2 July. This visit yielded a total of 3 agreements. These include an agreement to collaborate on sustainability spanning climate change negotiation, environmental protection, waste and wastewater management, and weather forecasting and climate science. Additionally, two MoUs were signed: a 2-year MoU on capacity-building and a 5-year MoU between the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and the Maldives’ Ministry of Higher Education for capacity-building, study visits and student exchanges.
Furthermore, SG’s President Tharman places emphasis on collaborative possibilities in areas such as hospitality training, tourism practices, and seafood export and other products. Despite the Maldives’ external relations frequently overshadowed and oversimplified by the election of a “pro-China” or “pro-India” leader, and the resulting policy shifts in favour of one of the two Asian powers, this meeting illustrates the two islands’ commitment to healthy bilateral cooperation that balances needs and priorities.
Ultimately, while these engagements with the UK and the Maldives align with Singapore’s national interests, they also underscore its commitment to Strategic Goal 2 of ASEAN’s 2045 Vision. SG’s openness to building partnerships beyond the region reinforces ASEAN Centrality by positioning the country as an outward-looking member-state, prepared to collaborate in areas where opportunities and challenges exist.
Aini is currently pursuing a master’s degree in English literature at Nanyang Technological University. She has experience working in youth groups, contributing to the planning and management of outreach activities.
Editorial Deadline 08/07/2025 11:59 PM (UTC +8)
