Philippines sees risk of conflict over Taiwan as a ‘major concern’
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The Philippines published a six-year national security policy on Aug 15.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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MANILA - The Philippines seeks to bolster its ability to address threats while underlining the need to strengthen ties with allies and pursue an independent foreign policy at the same time, under a six-year national security policy published on Tuesday.
The 48-page National Security Policy document, which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr recently approved, highlighted “sharpening strategic competition between the United States and China” and “heightened rivalries among the major powers” as contributing to a “more tense geopolitical landscape”.
“Major concern is also seen in the Cross-Straits relations that has the potential to be the flashpoint in the region,” the government said in the document, published by the National Security Council, referring to the Taiwan Strait.
“The Philippines is concerned about its economic stability, a potential influx of refugees, and the welfare of overseas populations.”
Beijing, which claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own, has been staging military exercises in the waters off the island to press its claim of sovereignty. The United States and allies such as Japan have criticised such pressure on Taiwan.
“Any military conflict in the Taiwan Strait would inevitably affect the Philippines given the geographic proximity of Taiwan to the Philippine archipelago and the presence of over 150,000 Filipinos in Taiwan,” the government said in the document.
The Philippines’ northernmost islands are 190km away from Taiwan.
The plan also covered government food and energy security priorities and noted that the South China Sea “remains a primary national interest”.
“The divergences of claims ... claimants’ methods of asserting their positions, continue to pose strategic challenges” that endanger territorial integrity and people’s rights, said the Philippines, which is in dispute with China over parts of the sea.
To achieve energy security, the government said it will explore development of offshore reserves, including in the South China Sea, to help reduce dependence on imports.
Ties with China have grown tense under Mr Marcos, as the Philippines pivots back to traditional ally the United States.
The Philippines would strengthen a Mutual Defence Treaty with the US,
