American troops are increasing their presence in Taiwan’s neighborhood.
MANILA The United States and the Philippines have announced an increase in the presence of American troops in the Philippines.
In this way, the United States wants to strengthen Taiwan’s defense against the Chinese threat.
US troops gain access to four new bases in the Philippines. It already has five bases in the country, so the number will now rise to nine.
The tenth base is still being negotiated, reports AFP news agency.
The new bases are located in the “strategic areas” of the Southeast Asian island nation, the defense ministries of the countries announced.
In practice, this means the northern parts of the Philippines, which has the shortest distance to Taiwan.
One of the additional bases will According to AFP (you will switch to another service) To the island of Palawan, near the Spratly Islands, whose control China disputes with, among others, the Philippines.
General: The war could start in 2025
The location of the Philippines is important in the defense of Taiwan. If China were to try to take over Taiwan, as it has threatened, deterrence and the first response must come from the soil of the Philippines.
A US general estimated last week that China and the US could drift into war over Taiwan in 2025.
China claims that the island of Taiwan belongs to it, but the United States supports Taiwan’s democracy and self-rule.
High representatives of the United States have been visiting the Philippines extensively since the country’s president changed last summer.
The previous president Rodrigo Duterte was pro-China and cut ties with the United States. The current president of Ferdinand Marcos Junior in the past, the old allies have become closer again.
At the same time, China has increased its aggression in the South China Sea, and the relationship between the United States and China has only intensified.
Vice President of the United States Terrible Harris assured the Philippines in November that the United States is committed to the country’s defense.
The Philippines is a former colony of the United States. The two countries have had a bilateral defense agreement for decades, which gives American troops, among other things, the opportunity to store their equipment at Philippine bases.
Currently, there are approximately 500 American soldiers in the country.
In practice, the Philippines is highly dependent on US military support.
Not all Filipinos are excited about the growing US presence in the country. They fear that the Philippines will become a pawn to be dragged into the American war.