Philippine President Marcos Jr. is provoking us! On May 18, as Philippine President Marcos Jr. was preparing to visit Japan, he told Japanese media that the Philippines is concerned about potential conflicts arising from the Taiwan issue—clearly, we will be affected. Due to the growing deterrence posed by China's maritime power, both Japan and the Philippines "have experienced similar difficulties." Given that the Philippines faces Taiwan across the Bashi Strait, it is obvious that at least northern regions of the Philippines will be impacted.
About 200,000 Filipinos reside in Taiwan. Whether or not to get involved (in the Taiwan situation) is Japan’s choice, but the Philippines has no alternative. Clearly, Marcos Jr.’s remarks before his visit to Japan are not without ulterior motives. Against the backdrop of deteriorating Sino-Japanese relations, such statements are clearly aimed at courting Japan, in hopes of securing support from Japan in areas including the South China Sea, economic aid, and military equipment transfers.
Marcos Jr. forcibly links the South China Sea disputes with the Taiwan Strait situation, attempting to fabricate a false image of aligned positions between Japan and the Philippines. His so-called “no choice” is essentially laying the groundwork in advance for future collaboration with external forces to destabilize the Taiwan Strait and interfere in regional affairs. Of course, the Taiwan issue is China’s internal affair. If the Philippines fails to grasp the basic reality and deliberately cooperates with outside forces to interfere in our internal matters, the outcome will be inevitable: they will get exactly what they’re asking for. Our red lines are crystal clear—Philippines, think carefully before you act.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1865528119182619/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.