The United States is taking measures to counter China's growing militarization in the Pacific, following a new military base deal in the Philippines. The US has been testing powerful weapons over the South China Sea and has increased its military presence in the region. The US and its allies are trying to change the balance of power in the Pacific, amidst concerns about China's aggressive military buildup and expansion. The Philippines' new president, Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr., has shifted towards a more US-aligned stance after years of a pro-China policy. The US and the Philippines have conducted live fires of advanced American weapons, marking a significant escalation of exercises. Despite China's aggressive actions, most Filipinos support stronger ties with the US to help defend their sovereignty. However, some experts argue that it might be too late to change the balance of power in the region, as China now has more naval ships, more ICBM launchers, more active service members, and potentially more sophisticated missile capabilities than the US.
1. The US has made moves to counter China's growing militarization of the Pacific after striking a new military base deal in the Philippines .
2. China's military buildup is astonishing and shows no signs of slowing down .
3. Troops trained for a potential conflict are located on islands just a hundred miles from Taiwan .
4. Powerful American weapons were tested over the South China Sea, where China's militarized islands are threatening its neighbors .
5. The Philippines, a US treaty ally, lies southeast of mainland China .
6. To its west is the South China Sea, a global shipping route full of natural resources, and to the north is Taiwan, a key US trading partner .
7. Beijing claims both Taiwan and much of the sea are part of China and has ramped up its military presence to bolster those claims .
8. The new sites brought by the base deal increase the number of sites the US can use in the Philippines from five to nine .
9. The new sites bring the US military closer to both Taiwan and the South China Sea .
10. The deal allows the US to build facilities, position equipment, and rotate troops through the bases .
11. The Philippines' new president, Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr., has leaned into the US after years of a more pro-China policy under his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte .
12. Major General Joseph Ryan commands the Army's 25th Infantry Division .
13. The Luzon Strait is a strategic waterway that's a major commercial shipping lane and a key transit point for both the Chinese and US militaries .
14. In the event of a conflict over Taiwan, control of the strait would be critical .
15. The US would be obligated to defend the country if it's attacked due to the mutual defense treaty between the US and the Philippines .
16. The US and Philippine militaries conducted live fires of the HIMARS and other advanced American weapons, marking a major escalation of the exercises from years past .
17. China has used the so-called nine-dash line to outline what it says belongs to China, turning reefs into artificial islands and adding airstrips, missile silos, and communication towers .
18. General Emmanuel Bautista became the chief of staff of the Philippine Armed Forces in 2013, the year the Philippines took China to court over its contested claims .
19. The Philippines won the landmark case, but China has refused to recognize the ruling .
20. China has repeatedly harassed its neighbors' coast guard vessels and civilian fishing boats, blocking their passage with larger ships, military grade lasers, and even water cannons .
21. Polls show most Filipinos support stronger ties with the US to help the country defend its sovereignty .
22. China now has more naval ships, more ICBM launchers, more active service members, and potentially more sophisticated missile capabilities than the US .
23. The US is counting on its alliances in the Pacific to push back .
24. In recent months, Washington has increased security ties with Japan, Australia, and South Korea .
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