Date: 2025-07-02 Page is: DBtxt003.php txt00027856
PHILIPPINES
GROWING MILITARY INFRASTRUCTURE
Asia Chronicles: U.S. Unveils BIGGEST Runway in the Philippines:
A Move to Counter China’s Growing Influence in WPS
GROWING MILITARY INFRASTRUCTURE
Asia Chronicles: U.S. Unveils BIGGEST Runway in the Philippines:
A Move to Counter China’s Growing Influence in WPS
Original article: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smYrYAdi2j8
Peter Burgess COMMENTARY
I know something of the complexity of the geography and history of the 'Far East' from the perspective of Great Britain before and after WWII and later ... or more recently ... from the US perspective.
There have been huge changes in the alignments and characteristics of all the countries in the region.
Peter Burgess
Asia Chronicles
Jan 12, 2025
26.7K subscribers
#Philippines #usa #china
#Philippines #usa #china
The Philippine government has announced that the military runway on Balabac Island, Palawan, is nearing completion. This project is part of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the United States, initiated in 2014 to counter China's activities in the West Philippine Sea. Initially, EDCA covered five locations, but four more, including Balabac Island, were added in 2022.
The new 3-kilometer runway on Balabac is a dual-purpose infrastructure designed for both military and civilian use. This aligns with the Marcos administration's goal of enhancing regional connectivity, attracting investments, and boosting tourism in the southern Philippines. Now 90% complete, the project is a collaborative effort between the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of National Defense.
Strategically located near the Balabac Strait and China's military outposts, Balabac Island is a key point in the region's security framework. Its proximity to Mischief Reef, within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, highlights its importance in territorial disputes with China. Beyond its strategic significance, Balabac plays a critical role in the Philippine Navy's operations and the U.S.-Philippine defense partnership.
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Transcript