U.S. Rebukes China For 'Intimidation and Coercion' in South China Sea
NewsweekAPR 2023
The Philippines should boost its security ties with Washington as China's expansionism increasingly threatens its national sovereignty and territorial integrity. It's no coincidence that key regional players such as Japan have also opted to join the US in stepping up deterrence against Beijing. Given China's increasingly aggressive stance, the question is no longer if, but when, military escalation will occur.
The US is exploiting the alleged "Chinese threat" to defend its hegemonic claims around the world. Manila must understand that Washington is not concerned with any of Manila's security interests, but that the US seeks to use the Philippines as another tool in a potential conflict with China. The Philippines should therefore pursue a well-balanced foreign policy as a sovereign state and thus avoid becoming a de-facto US colony again.