Philippines stoking regional tension with US bases pact, China envoy says

FILE PHOTO: U.S. soldiers practice firing a machine gun as part of the annual US-Philippines joint military exercises called "Balikatan" at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija province, Philippines, April 13, 2023. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

The Philippines is "stoking the fire" of regional tensions by offering expanded military base access to the United States, whose goal is to interfere in China's affairs with Taiwan, Beijing's ambassador to Manila said on Friday.

The Philippines this month identified four more bases that Washington can use under an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) signed in 2014.