Is expansion of Philippine bases for US use on track? Chinese think tank weighs in

Satellite imagery shows that Philippine military bases open to US troops have expanded more slowly than expected, according to a Chinese think tank. In a report published on Thursday, the Beijing-based South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative (SCSPI) zoomed in on the nine sites covered by the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the two treaty allies. It said the sites reflected Washington’s efforts to transform the Philippines from a “strategic rear” into a...

By Amber Wang