BATANES ISLAND: U.S. Military to build port
The U.S. Military and the local Philippine government are planning to develop a commercial port on the Philippines’ northernmost island, which is close to Taiwan.
According to an August 30 report by Reuters, the planned development site is on Batan Island, Batanes, less than 200 km from the Hengchun Peninsula at the southern tip of Taiwan across the Bashi Strait. The Bashi Strait is a major maritime transportation hub, through which many vessels traveling between the Western Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea pass.
In the Philippines, where relations with China over the South China Sea are worsening, it was just decided this year to build more bases that can be used by the U.S. military. This is seen as part of the U.S. move to expand its foothold in Southeast Asia as the U.S.-China confrontation becomes clearer.
ASAHI SHIMBUN DIGITAL SEPTEMBER 3, 2023
https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASR927JZ0R80UHBI039.html
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