Why NATO’s Biggest Militaries Are Lining Up To Back the Philippines Against China | EP703

Manila rejects Beijing’s “Asia-Pacific NATO” accusations
China launches “combat readiness patrols” near Scarborough Shoal

Faced with Beijing’s aggressive behavior and gray-zone tactics in the South China Sea — including sending frigates, J-16 jet fighters and H-6 bombers to patrol near Scarborough Shoal in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone — Manila has sought to expand its visiting forces and reciprocal access agreements beyond the US, Japan, and Australia to include other like-minded countries. In response, Beijing has accused the Philippines and its partners of importing “European-style military alliances” into Asia. What benefits do these military deals provide? Is Manila becoming the “hub” of a new hub-and-spokes model? And how might these agreements and recent joint exercises deter or affect a potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait? In this episode, our guests discuss the Philippines’ military agreements, the possibility of an “Asian NATO,” and what it all means for Taiwan and Indo-Pacific peace and stability.

*Recorded on October 9, 2025 at 11am Taiwan Standard Time

Host: Yin Khvat

Our guests:

Renato Cruz de Castro
National Chengchi University MOFA Taiwan Fellow

Chen Ping-kuei
National Chengchi University Department of Diplomacy Professor

Chapters:
00:00:00 - European-Style Alliances in Asia?
00:02:02 – China’s Fear of ‘Asia-Pacific NATO’
00:09:36 - What Benefits Do These Deals Provide?
00:15:40 - What Does This Mean for Taiwan?
00:19:01 - Beijing’s Mischief Near Scarborough




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