On August 8, 2025, China told the Philippines to quit playing with fire. This came after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Philippines couldn’t be neutral if China and the U.S. fought over Taiwan. He mentioned the Philippines’ closeness to Taiwan and the many Filipinos living there. This back-and-forth makes things even tense in the area, especially with the ongoing sea disputes in the South China Sea.
The Philippines’ comments and China’s angry reaction show how the Philippines is trying to balance its relationships with both the U.S. and China. Recently, the Philippines has increased its defence partnerships, holding its first joint naval exercise with India and boosting security ties with Taiwan, the U.S., Japan, and Australia. In the future, the Philippines’ firm stance might push it closer to the U.S.-backed security arrangements, which could lead to stronger reactions from China. Where the Philippines goes from here is crucial, as its decisions will affect the strategic situation in Southeast Asia for many years.
