U.S. Vice President Harris reportedly visited Palawan, Philippines, on November 22, the day before he held talks with Philippine President Marcos. US media revealed that the two sides discussed 21 new projects funded by the United States, including the expansion of more unannounced military bases around the Philippines.
Why did Harris suddenly visit Palawan? What is the intention of the United States to strengthen its military presence in the Philippines? On related topics, military observer Liang Yongchun will give you an in-depth analysis.
U.S. Vice President Harris visits Palawan, Philippines, on November 22 (Source: U.S. Embassy in Beijing)
U.S. Vice President Harris landed on Palawan and spoke again about the so-called "freedom of navigation." Military observer Liang Yongchun believes that Harris's move is not only intended to strengthen bilateral relations between the United States and the Philippines, but also to "arch the fire" of the situation in the South China Sea.
Liang Yongchun:
Palawan is just over 100 kilometers from China's Spratly Islands, where the United States has been hoping to get a new military base. Harris's visit to the Philippines is aimed at the South China Sea issue.
This year, US military and political officials visited the Philippines intensively, with the theme of strengthening the US-Philippine military alliance and strengthening joint operations in the South China Sea. Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte did not buy the US account, and now the United States is determined to take advantage of the new Philippine government to set off another storm against China in the South China Sea.
Data map: US military base in the Philippines (Source: CCTV today)
The Philippines recently said that the United States has agreed to spend $66.5 million to build training grounds, warehouses and other facilities at three military bases in the Philippines. Military observer Liang Yongchun further analyzed that the United States is constantly strengthening its military presence in the Philippines to take it as an important basis for controlling the South China Sea and containing China.
Liang Yongchun:
The United States needs the Philippines for military bases. At present, the US military uses 5 military bases in the Philippines in a "rotational station" manner. But the United States was not satisfied, and asked the Philippines for five more bases: one in Palawan, three in Luzon, near Taiwan, and one in Mindanao.
The United States needs the Philippines to provide an excuse for intervening in the South China Sea. The U.S. and Philippine militaries signed a maritime security agreement in June this year, and the U.S. military put forward three demands: the Philippines should enhance its "awareness of sea power" and attack China on the South China Sea issue; The United States and the Philippines should jointly address "maritime challenges", and the Philippines should "invite" the US military to participate in the settlement of disputes in the South China Sea; It is necessary to improve the "interoperability" of US and Philippine naval forces.
In addition, Harris also proposed during his visit to the Philippines that once the US military launches military operations in the South China Sea, the Philippines needs to provide logistical support.
Data map: Joint military exercise between the United States and the Philippines (Source: Reference news)
Military observer Liang Yongchun believes that the South China Sea is the common home of regional countries, not an "arena" for the game of great powers outside the region. How the Philippines maintains regional peace and stability deserves attention.
Liang Yongchun:
At present, the countries bordering the South China Sea do not want war and chaos in the region, and the US military cannot "be invited" to come, so it "insists" to come.
For the Philippines, allowing the United States to expand its military presence first has legal problems. The Philippine Constitution prohibits the establishment of permanent foreign military bases on its national soil. Second, the Philippines must consider great power relations. The United States is an ally of the Philippines, but China is the Philippines' largest trading partner and one of the most important sources of investment. In addition, the Philippines is an ASEAN country. The United States has provoked turmoil in the South China Sea, endangering the interests of all ASEAN countries. If the Philippines blindly cooperates with the United States, other ASEAN countries will also feel worried. Maintaining regional peace and stability is a wise choice for the Philippines.
Column editor-in-chief: Gu Wanquan Text editor: Fang Ying Title picture source: Xinhua News Agency Photo editor: Zhu Jun
Source: Author: Central Guang Military