During his visit to the United States, Marcos said the Philippines would not become a transit point for any military operations. This suggests that the Philippines may remain neutral in the event of a dispute in the Taiwan Strait.
In the United States, Marcos' talks with Biden were very different. Biden ** said,"The defense relationship, which was signed 72 years ago, has not changed significantly. The United States has a responsibility to protect the Philippines and safeguard its core interests in the Asia-Pacific region. "
In addition, Biden also talked about the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, and there is a big gap between the two sides in military cooperation. Now, the attitude of the Philippines is of particular concern.
They were very supportive of the opening of US bases in the past, including various logistical support work, which led to a large increase in the number of US military bases in the Philippines and a significant increase in combat capability.
An analysis of US bases in the Philippines shows that the blockade of the Bass Strait and the southern entrance of the Taiwan Strait is very obvious, and it will become an important basis for intervening in the Taiwan Strait. It is an undeniable fact that the U.S. base in the Philippines is meant to show its presence in the South China Sea.
However, the Philippines** said in private that "the Philippines is not a military base, nor is it a transit point", which indicates that the strength of his rhetoric has been significantly weakened.
If the United States and the Philippines differ on Taiwan-related issues, including the U.S. military's combat function, the U.S. will to dominate the Philippines' current view. The occupation of a base in the Philippines by the United States is a strategic decision, and its orientation is very obvious from the point of view of the location chosen.
If it is not to create trouble in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, why would the United States choose Luzon, Palawan, and many other bases in the Philippines, and set up new bases in these locations?
The United States has chosen to carry out so-called "base lending" facing the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, and its strategic intentions are clearly exposed. This indicates that if there is any military action or military intervention in the future, the US military will definitely set out from here to carry out various military operations.
At that time, what can the Philippines say and what it can do, it is not yet possible.
The United States and the Philippines have different rhetoric behind their backs, and their tastes are also slightly different. Proceeding from the Philippines' own security and interests, it is clear that the dominant influence of the United States occupies an important position.
In the Philippines, more and more people are beginning to realize that playing a pawn in great power competition will only have negative consequences. If the United States uses the Philippine operating base to interfere in China's internal affairs, the Philippines will only suffer, not benefit.
As a result, the Philippines is now starting to pay more attention to its own *** As for whether what Marcos said on the plane is consistent with what he will say when he returns from the United States, we need to continue to observe.
The United States has constructed a project in the surrounding area called"Multi-sea linkage"with"Multinational alliance"strategic chessboard. The words and deeds of the Philippines also seem to have changed, as they are"Shoulder to shoulder"The expanded exercise and the live-fire target at Scarborough Shoal missed, but demonstrated the determination of the United States and the Philippines to strengthen military cooperation in key sensitive areas.
As the situation in the South China Sea around China becomes increasingly complex, the dynamics of U.S.-Philippine military cooperation have attracted much attention. The key lies not in the rhetoric of both sides, but in the actual actions.