US gets access to 4 more Philippine bases amid China military moves

The agreement to expand cooperation in ‘strategic areas of the country’ was made during a visit by US defence chief Lloyd Austin

Most of the new sites will be on the main island of Luzon, the closest Philippine land mass to Taiwan

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US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin (right) shakes hands with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr at the presidential palace in Manila on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:20am, 2 Feb 2023Updated: 4:02pm, 2 Feb 2023

The United States and the Philippines announced a deal on Thursday to give US troops access to another four bases in the Southeast Asian nation, as the long-time allies seek to counter China’s military rise.

The agreement to expand cooperation in “strategic areas of the country” was made during a visit by US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.

It comes as the countries seek to repair ties that were fractured in recent years -- previous Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte favoured China over his country’s former colonial master, but the new administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has been keen to reverse that.

Beijing’s growing assertiveness on Taiwan and its claims over the disputed South China Sea have given fresh impetus to Washington and Manila to strengthen their partnership.

Given its proximity to Taiwan and its surrounding waters, the Philippines’ cooperation would be key in the event of a conflict with China, which a four-star US Air Force general has warned could happen as early as 2025.

“The Philippines and the United States are proud to announce their plans to accelerate the full implementation of the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the agreement to designate four new Agreed Locations in strategic areas of the country,” defence officials said in a joint statement.