China American renew access to Philippine bases
1. Someone asked me.
What your take on the new Philippines - US deal ... Do you think the Philippines got it wrong by allowing America access to four new bases ? And what do you think the Chinese government needs to do or how should they respond.

2. Here is my reply.
The US govt will spend a lot of money to maintain their bases in the Philippines. This will create jobs for the locals and boost the economy. The Philippines need the spending.

America will have access to these bases in addition to the dozens of bases that they already operate near China. This will increase the military threat to China, but it may be not significant.

China has already built its military capability (including navy, air force and missiles) to counter the threat from America.
Several simulations (conducted by American think tanks) indicate that China will win a war near its shores against America.

I do not know if these simulations are reliable. They may be manipulated to show a result that allows the US govt to increase the military spending.

I expect that China will continue it's current strategy to strengthen its military capability and also develop its economic partnership with the Philippines.

Tan Kin Lian

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