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Exercises show Philippines crux of US plans
The Philippines' Ministry of Defense announced recently that it is considering a possible joint military exercise by the US, Australia and the Philippines.
The news drew attention from countries in East Asia and the media in the region are keeping close eyes on the reactions of the US and Australia.
In fact, a joint military exercise by the three sides is not sought by the Philippines alone, but was also promoted by the US and Australia behind the scenes. All the three have their own strategic intentions.
The Philippines' goal is mainly to woo the US and seek more attention in the US Asia-Pacific strategy. It expects to increase its international position and regional influences in Southeast Asia by wooing the US like Japan.
The Philippines has an image as a relatively weak country among ASEAN members and has been always seeking a greater role and a favorable position in Southeast Asia.
Through military exercises with more and more countries, the Philippines aims to demonstrate its numerous and powerful allies and exerts greater pressure on China, seeking the initiative in territorial dispute with China.
From a domestic perspective, since Philippine President Benigno Aquino took office, the Philippines has seen a volatile political situation and an economic downturn.
To change the situation and gain public support, the Aquino government has turned to tough military attitudes and moved closer to the US.
The exercises are also in US interests.
The US is shifting its strategic focus to the Asia-Pacific region. In Northeast Asia, a triangle of US-Japan-South Korea has already been formed.
Although disputes and conflicts exist among the three countries, among which the islands disputes between Japan and South Korea is prominent, the triangular power structure is still stable.
In Southeast Asia, the US is intensifying its relations with the Philippines and Australia. Its purpose is to form a new triangular power structure there.
The joint exercise is an important measure to seal the trilateral relations, which could give the US the initiative in building a new Asia-Pacific power structure.
The Philippines could be seen as the pivot of the US Asia-Pacific strategy.
Currently, the US is moving its military forces in Northeast Asia southward, while at the same time shifting its military forces in the South Pacific and Southeast Asia northward.
The focus of the dual adjustment is the Philippines. Located between the Pacific and the Indian Ocean and on the crossing point of strategic transportation lines for Northeast and Southeast Asia, the Philippines' strategic importance is obvious.
A joint military exercise by the US, Australia and the Philippines is also welcomed by Australia, which viewed itself as one of the Western countries during the Cold War, and sought an active role in the Western world.
But after the end of Cold War, it began to actively engage in Asia-Pacific affairs.
One of its measures is to enhance military ties with relevant Asia-Pacific countries.
Joint military exercises among Australia, the US and Japan are a normal practice these years.
In July, the Philippines Senate ratified the Philippines-Australia Status of Visiting Forces Agreement, agreeing troops from both sides could conduct joint military exercises. The agreement paves the way for a joint military exercise by the US, Australia and the Philippines.
As the US is aiming at reshaping the power structure in the Asia-Pacific region, any strategic intentions behind each move deserve sober attention.
The Philippines' Ministry of Defense announced recently that it is considering a possible joint military exercise by the US, Australia and the Philippines.
The news drew attention from countries in East Asia and the media in the region are keeping close eyes on the reactions of the US and Australia.
In fact, a joint military exercise by the three sides is not sought by the Philippines alone, but was also promoted by the US and Australia behind the scenes. All the three have their own strategic intentions.
The Philippines' goal is mainly to woo the US and seek more attention in the US Asia-Pacific strategy. It expects to increase its international position and regional influences in Southeast Asia by wooing the US like Japan.
The Philippines has an image as a relatively weak country among ASEAN members and has been always seeking a greater role and a favorable position in Southeast Asia.
Through military exercises with more and more countries, the Philippines aims to demonstrate its numerous and powerful allies and exerts greater pressure on China, seeking the initiative in territorial dispute with China.
From a domestic perspective, since Philippine President Benigno Aquino took office, the Philippines has seen a volatile political situation and an economic downturn.
To change the situation and gain public support, the Aquino government has turned to tough military attitudes and moved closer to the US.
The exercises are also in US interests.
The US is shifting its strategic focus to the Asia-Pacific region. In Northeast Asia, a triangle of US-Japan-South Korea has already been formed.
Although disputes and conflicts exist among the three countries, among which the islands disputes between Japan and South Korea is prominent, the triangular power structure is still stable.
In Southeast Asia, the US is intensifying its relations with the Philippines and Australia. Its purpose is to form a new triangular power structure there.
The joint exercise is an important measure to seal the trilateral relations, which could give the US the initiative in building a new Asia-Pacific power structure.
The Philippines could be seen as the pivot of the US Asia-Pacific strategy.
Currently, the US is moving its military forces in Northeast Asia southward, while at the same time shifting its military forces in the South Pacific and Southeast Asia northward.
The focus of the dual adjustment is the Philippines. Located between the Pacific and the Indian Ocean and on the crossing point of strategic transportation lines for Northeast and Southeast Asia, the Philippines' strategic importance is obvious.
A joint military exercise by the US, Australia and the Philippines is also welcomed by Australia, which viewed itself as one of the Western countries during the Cold War, and sought an active role in the Western world.
But after the end of Cold War, it began to actively engage in Asia-Pacific affairs.
One of its measures is to enhance military ties with relevant Asia-Pacific countries.
Joint military exercises among Australia, the US and Japan are a normal practice these years.
In July, the Philippines Senate ratified the Philippines-Australia Status of Visiting Forces Agreement, agreeing troops from both sides could conduct joint military exercises. The agreement paves the way for a joint military exercise by the US, Australia and the Philippines.
As the US is aiming at reshaping the power structure in the Asia-Pacific region, any strategic intentions behind each move deserve sober attention.
