MANILA/WASHINGTON/BERLIN (own report) – The Philippines, a close military cooperation partner of Germany, is escalating the conflict with China both over Taiwan and over islands in the South China Sea. On November 8, Manila enacted two new laws stipulating the Philippines’ claims in the South China Sea. These overlap with those of China. However, Manila claims islands and maritime areas also claimed by Malaysia, from whose perspective, the Philippines could be considered the main troublemaker in the South China Sea, according to one expert, considering the fact that Manila is likewise claiming sovereignty over parts of the Malaysian state of Sabah. The USA has concluded an agreement with Manila for the exchange of secret military information and is elaborating plans to station state-of-the-art missiles on the Philippines and in Japan in the event of a crisis over Taiwan. This represents a direct threat to the People's Republic of China, similar to threat posed to the USA by Soviet missiles in Cuba. Germany is participating in this development by intensifying its military and arms cooperation with the Philippines. Read more