New Delhi: Batanes, the northernmost province of the Philippines, located just 90 miles from Taiwan, has today become the center of international power struggles.
When the American and Philippine armies started joint maneuvers here in April 2023, the local people were scared. The previously peaceful island has now witnessed the repeated presence of American troops and missile exercises.
Now even the American NMESIS anti-ship missile system has been deployed here, which can be used to stop the activities of the Chinese Navy.
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Why is the location of Batanes strategic?
The Batanes Archipelago lies along the Bashi Channel: the sea route that connects the South China Sea to the western Pacific Ocean. According to experts, control over this channel will decide “who will win and who will lose the war.” The success of any potential attack on Taiwan would depend on the region.
‘First Island Chain’
America has made the Philippines an important link in its “First Island Chain Strategy.” This chain, extending from Japan to Borneo, has been created to stop China’s maritime expansion.
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made it clear that if war broke out on Taiwan, his country would not be able to escape it. At the same time, America and the Philippines have decided to conduct more than 500 joint military exercises by 2026.
China’s response and gray-zone war
China has warned that Taiwan is its internal matter and it will not accept any external interference. In recent months, incidents of Chinese naval incursions and “gray-zone warfare”, in which China applies pressure with its ships but avoids open war, have increased.
Concern of local people
The people of Batanes are still worried. When the maneuvers began, many people stockpiled rice, oil, and other essential items. Provincial Governor Ronald “Jun” Aguto and local leader Florencio Abad are making disaster plans in anticipation of war, especially for the return of 2 million Filipino workers living in Taiwan.
Now warlike preparations are going on every day on the island. But people have only one question in their minds, if conflict really occurs, how will they save themselves?
Batanes is no longer just a beautiful archipelago but has become the front line of the growing US-China conflict. The peace of the local residents is now burning in the fire of geopolitics.