By Zhang Yan
张燕
The Philippine military on December 23 once again announced plans to procure the US Typhon Mid-Range Capability missile system to safeguard its maritime interests. From introducing the Typhon missile system under the guise of joint exercises to delaying its withdrawal and now planning to purchase it from the US, the Philippines has been working closely with external forces. These dangerous actions severely undermine regional security and stability and represent an irresponsible choice for the security of the Philippines itself, Southeast Asian countries and the region.
12月23日，菲律宾军方再次放出消息称，菲律宾计划采购美国“堤丰”中程导弹系统以保护其海上利益。从借演习之名将“堤丰”引入本土，到持续拖延“堤丰”撤出，再到计划向美购买“堤丰”，菲律宾与域外势力一唱一和，种种危险举动严重破坏地区安全稳定，是对本国和东南亚各国和地区安全极不负责任的选择。
US-Philippines relations have warmed rapidly in recent years. Led by the US, the two nations have resumed the "2+2" meetings between their foreign and defense ministers, announced an expansion and full implementation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), established four new military bases for the US, and formulated the US-Philippines Bilateral Defense Guidelines. They also conducted frequent joint military exercises and accelerated US-Philippines-Japan and US-Philippines-Australia trilateral defense cooperation as well as quadrilateral cooperation among the US, the Philippines, Japan, and Australia. The US-Philippines military alliance has clearly deepened and its orientation towards countering China has become increasingly evident.
近年来，美菲关系迅速升温。在美方主导下，两国重启外长、防长“2+2”会谈，宣布扩大并全面实施《加强防务合作协议》，增设4个新军事基地供美军使用，制定《美菲双边防卫合作指针》，频繁举行美菲双边联合军演，快速推进美菲日、美菲澳小三边防务合作和美菲日澳四边合作。可以看出，美菲军事同盟关系明显走深，抗衡中国的指向性日趋明显。
The US has intensified its forward deployments in the region to support the Philippines. In April this year, the US deployed the Typhon mid-range missile system in northern Philippines under the pretext of military exercises. This marked the first deployment of a ground-based mid-range missile system in the region since the end of the Cold War and the first such deployment since the US withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in 2019. The Typhon mid-range missile system was to be removed by September. However, not only has the Typhon missile system not been removed, but there are reports of the Philippine military's intention to purchase it from the US. This has exposed the US' strategy of "salami-slicing" to enhance its strategic presence in the Asia-Pacific, thereby destabilizing regional security.
为给菲律宾站台，美国不断加强对菲前沿部署。今年4月，美国以军事演习为借口，在菲律宾北部部署了“堤丰”中导系统。这是自冷战结束以来，美国首次在该地区部署陆基中程导弹系统，也是其2019年退出《中导条约》后首次部署此类战略武器。按计划，“堤丰”中导系统应于9月运走。但时至今日，“堤丰”不仅没有撤出，反而不时有消息传出菲军方将向美购买这一中导系统，暴露出美国企图通过“切香肠”方式强化亚太地区战略力量预置，搅动地区安全局势的险恶图谋。
The US has increased its military assistance to the Philippines to instigate it to provoke actions in the South China Sea. During the US-Japan-Philippines trilateral summit in April, the US and Japan pledged to invest USD 100 billion in the Philippines over the next five to ten years. In July, the US announced USD 500 million in military aid for modernizing the Philippine military. At the end of October, the US promised in a statement USD 8 million to support the modernization of the Philippine Coast Guard. However, analysts suggest that these commitments are largely symbolic, and it remains to be seen whether they can be fulfilled.
为煽动菲律宾在南海挑事，美国持续加码对菲军事援助。今年4月，美国和日本在美日菲峰会上许诺，未来5至10年给菲律宾投资1000亿美元。7月，美国宣布向菲律宾提供5亿美元军事援助以更新军备。10月底，美方在一份声明中再次承诺提供800万美元，帮助菲律宾海岸警卫队实现现代化。不过，有分析指出，这些承诺象征意义大于实际支出，是否能够兑现还要打一个问号。
The US and the Philippines have deepened their military cooperation to serve their respective interests. Since 2023, the US has intensified its push for the so-called "Indo-Pacific Strategy," using alliances as key tools to counter and contain China. The Philippines has effectively become a pawn in this attempt. Through US-Philippines military cooperation, the US aims to strengthen its foothold in Southeast Asia, reduce the cost of power projection, and enhance its "Indo-Pacific" network of alliances and partnerships. As for the Philippines, it fantasizes about relying on the US to gain the dual benefits of security and economic development.
美菲各取所需，相互勾结，加大军事合作。2023年以来，美国加大力度推进所谓“印太战略”，将同盟当成遏制和围堵中国的重要手段。菲律宾俨然成为美国遏华“马前卒”。美国企图通过美菲军事合作增加其在东南亚的落脚点，降低投送力量成本，并强化“印太”联盟和伙伴网络布局。菲律宾则幻想倚靠美国捞取安全保障和经济发展的双重收益。
Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger once said that it may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal. The US often profits by injecting aid funds and creating risks of war, achieving substantial gains at minimal cost, while leaving behind turmoil, division and confrontation for the countries involved. Today, the US is instigating and condoning Philippine provocations in the South China Sea for its selfish interests, inviting widespread disdain from peace-loving people around the world. At the ASEAN Summit in October, the Philippines once again attempted to stir up the South China Sea issue, but no ASEAN member state echoed its sentiments. Anyone with a discerning eye can see clearly that showing off military power and provoking confrontation will not win the trust of the international community for the US or the Philippines.
美国前国务卿基辛格曾说：“做美国的敌人是危险的，但是做美国的盟友则是致命的”。美国习惯通过投入援助资金和制造战争风险的方式牟利，用廉价的成本换取巨额的收益，然而留给相关国家的往往是冲突动乱、分裂对抗。如今出于一己私利，美国煽动纵容菲律宾在南海生事，理所当然为世界广大爱好和平的人民所不齿。10月举行的东盟峰会上，菲律宾再度炒作南海问题，但东盟成员国无一附和。明眼人看得很清楚，炫耀武力、挑动对抗不会让美菲取信于国际社会。
In today's turbulent world, the peace and stability of the South China Sea depend on the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries. China has always maintained a high degree of restraint and advocated seeking a solution acceptable to both sides in the spirit of good-neighborliness and friendship and respecting historical and legal facts on maritime disputes. However, goodwill must not be abused. The Philippines should heed the voices of regional countries and peoples, correct its mistakes promptly, fulfill its public commitments by withdrawing the Typhon missile system, and avoid straying further down the wrong path.
环顾当今动荡的世界，南海能保持和平稳定，离不开中国和东盟国家共同作出的努力。关于海上争端，中方一直保持高度克制，主张本着睦邻友好精神，尊重历史和法理事实，寻求各自均可接受的解决方案。但是，善意绝不能被滥用。菲方应正视地区国家和人民呼声，尽早纠正错误做法，按照此前公开承诺尽快撤走“堤丰”中导系统，不要在错误的道路上越走越远。
(The author is from the PLA National University of Defense Technology.)
（作者单位：国防科技大学）
