The Philippine Defense Department said on Wednesday it was “deeply concerned” over China's large-scale military exercises near Taiwan, warning that they undermine regional peace and stability.
In a statement, Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. said China's coercive activities around Taiwan have ramifications beyond the region and could affect stability in the Indo-Pacific.
“The implications of this increased scale of coercion extend beyond cross-Strait relations and to the broader Indo-Pacific community,” he said, adding that the military exercises “risk creating further fractures in an already fragile geopolitical environment.”
China fired dozens of rockets toward Taiwan and deployed warships and jets near the island in a show of force to surround the self-ruled island and aim to prevent foreign intervention in the event of a conflict.
The exercises, named “Justice Mission 2025”, were the largest so far by area and the closest to Taiwan, which deployed jets and warships to monitor them.
Its launch came just 11 days after the US announced a record $11.1 billion arms package for Taipei, which included missiles and communications systems; And it culminated on Wednesday when China withdrew its ships. A Reuters report says that despite this, Taiwan is on high alert.
Former Taiwanese Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said in 2021 that China could be ready to launch a full-scale invasion of the island state by this year, while former US Indo-Pacific commander John C. Aquilino said that signs point to the possibility of an invasion of Taiwan by 2027.
Philippine officials have said that the country could become involved in any conflict over Taiwan.
In April, military chief Romeo S. Browder, Jr. directed the armed forces to prepare for a possible invasion of the island, while President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. warned in August that the Philippines would be dragged “kicking and screaming” into any conflict, as Taiwan is located less than 200 kilometers from its northernmost islands.
Manila's National Security Policy 2023–2028 identified a potential Taiwan conflict as a potential flashpoint due to the Philippines' proximity to the island, which could not only affect Filipinos in Taiwan but also lead to an influx of refugees.
“The basic principles of self-restraint must be followed, and the rule of international law must not be distorted,” Mr. Teodoro said. “The Philippines underlines the importance of upholding international law and regional norms, including the principles of peaceful management of disputes.”
“We reaffirm our support for a free, open, stable and rules-based Indo-Pacific, where differences are resolved by peaceful means without deception, coercion or intimidation,” he said. – Kenneth Christian L. basilio