As US military ‘encircles’ China, does Asean ‘quietly welcome’ it?

From the Philippines to Australia to Japan – and a new US Marines base in Guam – more American troops and military assets are headed for Asia

China is likely to interpret it as ‘encirclement’, analysts say – but for some in Southeast Asia an increased US military presence is a ‘public good’

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US Marines take their position in a trench during a joint exercise with the Philippines last year. The US Marine Corps last month opened its first new base in 70 years in Guam. Photo: AP

Published: 8:30am, 11 Feb 2023

The United States has in recent years sought to fight back against China’s growing aggression in the Indo-Pacific region, but its strategy might have more teeth now.

At the start of this month, it expanded a defence pact with the Philippines that grants American troops access to four additional bases, offering Washington better oversight over the waters of the disputed South China Sea and around Taiwan.

The US Marines Corps also opened a new base in Guam last month – its first in 70 years – that aims to eventually house some 5,000 marines tasked with detecting and countering threats in the region, who would be key in the event of a conflict with China.

Farther afield, the US is planning to deploy more military assets in Australia, including jointly developing airfields in the country to support greater number of aircraft rotations.

A building under construction last month at Camp Blaz, the new Marine Corps base on the US island territory of Guam. Photo: Kyodo

China wasn’t mentioned by name in the joint statement announcing the US-Philippines agreement, but during his visit to Australia earlier this week US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin made it clear that Beijing’s actions in the region were of concern.

“China’s dangerous and coercive actions throughout the Indo-Pacific, including around Taiwan, toward the Pacific island countries and in the East and South China Seas, threaten regional peace and stability,” he said.