MANILA – Visiting Swedish lawmakers have urged Asian countries, including the Philippines, to build stronger security alliances and bolster their defense capabilities against Chinese aggression—drawing parallels to Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Joar Forsell of Sweden’s Liberal Party emphasized the importance of self-reliance, warning that economic coercion could be used as a weapon in times of crisis.
“Something to learn is to build alliances, build very close alliances with like-minded partners, real defensive capabilities, not be naïve, buy new weapons, and ensure independence,” Forsell said.
He cited Europe’s lesson from Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which exposed vulnerabilities in energy dependence. “Sweden has learned that you cannot be dependent on a country like Russia. They threatened to turn off gas to control certain countries,” he added.
Preparing for Security Uncertainties
With U.S. President Donald Trump scaling back security commitments, other Swedish legislators stressed the need for Asian nations to be prepared for conflict without relying too much on Washington.
Magnus Berntsson of The Christian Democrats acknowledged global concern over Trump’s foreign policy approach, saying, “There is a lot of disappointment with what has been said from the new American administration.”
Kerstin Lundgren of the Centre Party warned that deterrence must go beyond diplomatic agreements.
“Signatures on paper don’t count when big interests are at stake. Russia didn’t care, and that is a lesson. We must ensure we are building up our own security and supporting Ukraine,” she said, noting China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran as a bloc challenging the rules-based international order.
The China-Philippines Conflict
China’s escalating maritime confrontations in the South China Sea have alarmed regional players, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. Chinese naval and coast guard actions, particularly against the Philippines, have sparked fears of an armed conflict in Asia.
Swedish lawmakers emphasized the need for collective defense efforts, even among geographically distant nations.
Aron Emilson, head of delegation and chairman of Sweden’s Foreign Affairs Committee, stressed that defenders of a rules-based order must stand together:
“We have common interests despite being on different continents. As maritime nations, Sweden and the Philippines share values in defending freedom of navigation.”
The Swedish delegation met with Philippine officials, including representatives from the National Security Agency and the Philippine Coast Guard, to discuss regional security cooperation, defense, and trade.
Forsell reiterated that Sweden is ready to support the Philippines in safeguarding freedom of navigation and securing the region.
“China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia are working together against the rules-based world order. It’s against the Philippines, against Sweden, against Ukraine, against Taiwan. We have to cooperate,” he said.