How Beijing could use its military and trade to hit back at Tokyo-Manila ties

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Jun 4, 2026 #Abukuma-class destroyers, #Bashi Channel, #Beijing, #China, #East China Sea, #Japan, #Japanese Self-Defence Forces, #Manila, #Miyako Strait, #People's Liberation Army, #Philippine Sea, #Philippines, #South China Morning Post (SCMP), #South China Sea, #Taiwan, #Taiwan Strait

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How Beijing could use its military and trade to hit back at Tokyo-Manila ties

Chinese experts warn the pair could pose a threat in a conflict over Taiwan, urge tough economic and military measures

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Japan and the Philippines began to bolster their defense links in August last year. Photo: Kiyoshi Ota/Pool Bloomberg via AP

Alcott Weiin BeijingandAmber Wangin BeijingPublished: 9:00am, 4 Jun 2026

Beijing could conduct military operations, bolster its electronic warfare strength and roll out trade sanctions in response to Tokyo and Manila’s deepening defence cooperation, according to Chinese experts.

Last week, Manila and Tokyo announced they would launch negotiations on the maritime boundary of their exclusive economic zones and continental shelves around Taiwan, a move that Beijing called “completely illegal and invalid”.

In a report on Wednesday, the Beijing Lande Information Technology think tank said Japan and the Philippines had forged a “quasi-military alliance” and could block the Chinese navy from entering and exiting the western Pacific.

As part of that shift, Japan was moving towards a “planner” role in the US’ Indo-Pacific strategy, it said.

“With the US’ global strategic focus constrained, Japan … has chosen to strengthen its irreplaceable role in the Indo-Pacific security architecture by actively aligning itself with the Philippines.”

AdvertisementTokyo and Manila have also agreed to begin negotiations on an intelligence-sharing agreement and to advance the transfer of Abukuma-class destroyers to the Philippines.AdvertisementSelect VoiceSelect Speed00:0000:001.00x