Manila’s significant shift could pave the way for the Philippines, an American treaty ally, to play a bigger role in regional defense if China invades Taiwan.

The country has been gradually expanding military cooperation with the U.S., Japan, and Beijing-claimed Taiwan.

Despite proclaiming a “one China” policy, Manila has been moving toward greater economic and security cooperation with Taipei.

Beijing’s ire comes one week after a Washington Post report revealed that the Philippines has deepened military exchanges with Taiwan in the past year.

The Philippines discreetly bolsters defense ties with Taiwan due to Chinese aggression in the South China Sea. Under President Marcos Jr.'s new policy, military and academic engagements have increased.

The Philippines is working behind the scenes to enhance its defensive cooperation with Taiwan, the Washington Post reported yesterday. “It would be hiding from the obvious to say that Taiwan’s security will not affect us,” Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro told the paper in an interview on Thursday last week.

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Frequent gray-zone c lashes with China in the South China Sea have prompted the Philippines to strengthen its security cooperation with Taiwan.