The governor of the Batanes Islands, located less than 200 km (125 miles) from Taiwan, said in August that she had asked the United States for funds to build a new port there. The U.S. embassy confirmed at the time that its diplomats and U.S. military Pacific experts were engaging local authorities on various support measures for the islands.
“At first they said they would help, but then they didn’t, so I asked the PPA for help,” said Governor Marilou Cayco, referring to the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
Could a trilateral meeting with the US attract Japan to assist the Philippines within the South China Sea?
Could a trilateral meeting with the US attract Japan to assist the Philippines within the South China Sea?
The project was intended to assist unload cargo from the capital, Manila, during rough seas through the monsoon season, when existing facilities are sometimes unavailable.
The U.S. Embassy said Friday it had no immediate comment on the matter.
The U.S. military involvement within the port of Batanes could fuel tensions at a time of growing friction with China and Washington’s desire to accentuate its long-standing defense commitments with the Philippines, which Beijing has viewed with suspicion.
Taiwan’s defense ministry said the Chinese military commonly sends ships and planes through the canal.
In an announcement released to the media on Friday, the Chinese embassy in Manila said Taiwan is China’s internal matter so it should never turn into a difficulty between China and the Philippines.
It was not immediately clear what the statement was in response to.
“Any attempt to include the Taiwan issue in maritime disputes between China and the Philippines is dangerous,” the embassy said in an announcement, without going into details concerning the danger.
When asked why the United States was not involved within the port project, Cayco said she didn’t know. “We actually just submitted a proposal, and since it’s not certain, we reached out to the PPA for help.”
