Manila ¨C While officially adhering to the ¡°One China¡± policy, the Philippines has been quietly expanding unofficial defense and security engagements with Taiwan, a senior government official in Manila has said, in revelations likely to anger China.
The moves come as Manila settles into a view that alliances, geography and economic interests would inevitably pull the Philippines into any potential U.S. conflict with China over the self-ruled island. Beijing claims Taiwan as a renegade province that must be unified with the mainland, by force if necessary.
¡°The Philippines is slowly and unofficially drawing Taiwan into the defense architecture of the country and of the region,¡± the senior Philippine government source told The Japan Times on condition of anonymity in order to discuss sensitive issues.
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