In the northern Philippines, near a military base the U.S. recently won access to that is crucial to any defense of Taiwan, Beijing has made inroads with key politicians, wooing them with VIP trips to the mainland. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/05/11/asia-pacific/politics/philippines-elite-china-taiwan/ #asiapacific #politics #philippines #china #taiwan #southchinasea #disputedislands #us #usmilitary #pla