PHILIPPINES Manila reinforces the axis with Washington and Tokyo against China's maritime claims

The impending annual Balikatan military maneuvers will touch the waters of the South China Sea disputed by the People's Republic, but will also be oriented towards the island of Taiwan. Foreign Minister Manalo: “We want peace and development in the Indo-Pacific, despite tensions fueled by Beijing.”

Manila () – Manila is decisively leaning towards a closer relationship with the traditional American ally, but also towards greater military and strategic collaboration with Tokyo and other international partners, with the aim of protecting itself from Chinese pressures and being less exposed to international tensions. This is confirmed by the next major annual Balikatan maneuvers, which will begin on April 22 and conclude 17 days later. These maneuvers will not only have 14 other countries as observers, including Japan, India and members of the European Union. For the first time since this joint military initiative was launched, this year it will have the presence of an external ally and a frigate of the French Navy will participate in the maneuvers together with the ships of the two allies in the waters of exclusive economic interest. of the Philippines, a portion of which is claimed (and in some areas already de facto annexed) by the People's Republic of China. A clear signal from the Philippine side that it has decided to put aside doubts and fears and has opted for broader cooperation that will allow it to better protect its territorial integrity and economic needs.

This year the Balikatan maneuvers will also have exceptional scope and objectives, projecting not only towards the waters of the island of Palawan – most of which are included in the territorial disputes of recent years – but also towards those of Taiwan, beyond the northernmost islands of the Philippine archipelago. Therefore, they will leave territorial waters for the first time to simulate the reconquest of islands invaded by enemy forces. Manila's decision to reinforce alliances and activities that Beijing considers “hostile” was defined as a “sovereign decision” by the Philippine Foreign Minister, Enrique Manalo, in line with the clear strategic rapprochement with Washington that has been launched by the President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Philippine government considers that the trilateral alliance with the United States and Japan will serve to promote peace and economic development in the Indo-Pacific area and is not intended to be a threat, despite the fact that “the excessive territorial claims and “the aggressive attitude” of the Chinese side “are known and a source of tensions.” “China – Manalo noted – must reflect on its actions in the South China Sea.”