The Philippines: The Thorn In China's Side
August 5, 2024 | By Andrew J. Masigan*
China, Philippines | MEMRI Daily Brief No. 632
China was left alone to wield its economic and military might over weaker nations for years. It bullied its way to pressure others to bend to its will. Its hegemonic ambitions over the Indo-Pacific are no secret.
Taiwan is an integral part of China's ambitions. Not only will a unification with the island nation break the U.S.'s line of defense in the first island chain and extend China's military reach, but it will also accelerate China's capabilities in advance semiconductor manufacturing. Subsuming Taiwan will make China an even stronger economic and military power while wiping out the last vestige of its "Century of Humiliation."
Everything was going China's way until Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was elected president of the Philippines in 2022. Under Marcos' leadership, the Philippines has assumed the role of vanguard for a free and open Indo-Pacific. It is fighting on behalf of all nations who have a stake in the South China Sea. It is bravely standing-up to China's bullying as it defends its sovereign rights in the disputed waters. Marcos firmly aligned the Philippines with the axis of democracy that includes the U.S., Japan, Australia, South Korea, and others.
Six Ways In Which The Philippine Foils China's Plans
The Philippines is the thorn in China's side as it pursues its hegemonic ambitions in its typical barbaric style. Here are the six ways in which the Philippine has foiled China's plans:
https://www.memri.org/reports/philippines-thorn-chinas-side
