How The Philippines makes the Invasion of Taiwan so difficult: The Bashi Channel

The Philippines occupies a strategic position in the Pacific Ocean, as it sits close to Taiwan and its main bottlenecks. In particular the Philippines controls the southern end of the Bashi channel, which puts the Philippines in a position to make a Chinese invasion of Taiwan much more difficult. This chokepoint is one of China's main strategic weakness, especially in view of of the possible confrontation with the US. For this reason the Philippines, which now host new US bases, are in a position to halt an invasion of Taiwan. In this video we will analyze US and China's reliance on this strait and we will try to answer two major questions. Why is the Bashi Channel so important in the scenario of an invasion of Taiwan? How does this influence a possible US - China conflict?

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Many thanks to:
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Music: Premiumbeats
Stock footage: Pexels
Softwares: Animations made with ♥️ with Blender, Editing in DaVinci Resolve, and map analysis and editing in QGIS.

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Check my previous videos:

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References and Bibliography:

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Table of content:

00:00 3 Reasons of the Bashi channel's importance
01:46 Taiwan's 3 main chokepoints
03:02 Taiwan Invasion supply lines
05:22 The Bashi Channel in the US-China confrontation
07:19 US perspective on the Philippines in the scenario of an invasion of Taiwan
10:00 US perspective on the Philippines in the scenario of an invasion of Taiwan
13:00 The Bashi channel and the submarine cables network
14:29 Conclusion

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Thank you!

[haidancheng]

As a Taiwanese, I'm always happy when seeing people making videos about Taiwan. Taiwan is critical to every country. The more Taiwan is seen by the international community, the less China dares invade Taiwan. So thank you for making this video, and I hope you can keep making videos about Taiwan. Again, deeply thank to those who support Taiwan.

[rxn]

One mistake China made was being too aggressive in SCS, especially with the Philippines. The PH was already distancing itself from the US, starting as far as the 90s during the shutdown of US naval and air bases in the PH. They are really trying to be neutral and independent, until now. Even the recent president tried warming up with China (and was really hostile with the US) but to no avail.

Now, even the doves and anti-US politicians in the Philippines are losing their influence on the general population. It's hard to imagine having 4 new US bases (temporary and limited) in the PH, especially before the SCS issue, there's no way the PH government can get away with that. The Filipinos are fearful and angry and now returning to their oldest ally. They know war is inevitable especially when Chinese bases are just a couple of miles away from their homes, locals hear sounds of explosions and see the silhouette of Chinese ships from their shores, and their fishermen are told to scurry away by the Chinese coast guard.

And even now as of writing, the PH president is in the US, strengthening their alliance. If only China left the PH alone with their sea territories, the PH will not have to resort to allowing a substantial US military presence in their country. They would have an easier time with Taiwan, with a neutral PH.

I won't be surprised if the PH in the future will agree to give the US, proper and permanent bases, let's say reopening the Subic Naval Base (the largest US naval base back then in Asia) and the Clark Air Base.

[cabal]

If you're Filipino and still support China, please take time to read the PCA ruling on the dispute. China's actions in reclaiming land on Philippine waters has heavily damaged the marine life which one expert said was the worst damage he'd ever seen in his decades old career.

[eternal]

All the best to Phillipines 🇵🇭 our best Ally . Any time anywhere 🇮🇳 is with u always. Show your power with our Brahmos 😎. Long live our Brotherhood 🇮🇳🇵🇭💪

[triplebarnes]

Just imagine if Taiwan and The Philippines sign a treaty and hold control over the strait/channel.

[carlodivinagracia]

Unknown to many, the Chinese PLA & PLN conducted live fire drills near our Batanes islands last August 2022 & last month. The target area was only about 75 Km from our closest island.
The Bashi channel is a strategic choke point. Chinese war planners knew this well. They need to secure this to surround Taiwan when the time comes. This channel is very important to global supply chain & contains many international communication undersea cables.
Our concern for the 150, 000 plus OFW’s adds also to the inevitable link to the Taiwan situation.

[yutinghsi]

As a Taiwanese, thank you for making such a beautiful video. I hope more people can learn more about Taiwan .
❤ 🇹🇼🤝🏻🌏

[incomitatus]

The Bashi Channel was a happy hunting grounds for US submarines in WW2. US subs decimated Japanese shipping going through there between Japan & the Dutch East indies. The Bashi Channel was a choke point for Japanese maritime shipping & most of Japan's oil came through there on heavily laden tankers. It's one of the main reasons we never had to invade Japan. US subs so depleted Japanese oil supplies, that by 1945 many of their major warships were restricted to harbors for lack of fuel. As soon as I saw this video pop up on my choice list, that's the first thing I thought of.

[jimwell]

As long as China is a threat to Philippine sovereignty over it's own waters & islands in the West Philippine Sea or until our own military is capable enough of mounting an effective defense, the US stays. We do not want war, but we are not that naive to prepare should that time ever come. 🇵🇭🇺🇸

[eugenevillamor]

I was initially going to criticize this video because of what I believed was the wrong name given to the Philippines' northern most island: Amianan. But after further research, imagine my surprise as this is the name given to the island in my native language of Ilocano. Well done indeed👏.
Salient and in-depth analysis, thank you for this video and it's relevance for these times in the Philippines 🇵🇭 ...maraming salamat po😌

[quadeong]

Also a bit of an update. Japan and the Philippines are discussing plans on setting up radar stations in Bataanes, the Philippine islands on the Basi Channel.

[michaelillingworth]

India has just agreed a trade deal with the Philippines to supply them with cruise missiles.
🇬🇧❤️🇮🇳🇵🇭

[gulpkraps]

So I guess no matter how much we try to remain neutral to avoid being in direct conflict with China, we will still be involved due to the fact that our geographic location is of strategic importance to both China and the US.

[Hey_MikeZeroEchoP]

As a USN channel TOTALLY got my attention! As I and other sailors practice in, evaluating our, and improving ourselves in attacks in S. Korea, but as I was close to retirement, we were discussing an invasion of Taiwan as well....

The point was they posed to me was .... "What If..." China were to go into Taiwan, how would you protect them?? I pointed out the same evaluation that you present here with Japan protecting the northern portion of the island, while the US, with Philippine co-operation, to the south of Taiwan in the same Bashi Channel....

Of course I got laughed in the I wonder, where those other sailors are??

Lastly, I just 'Subscribed', "Kamome"

USN Veteran
84 - 05

[ToanNguyen-lbyf]

Thanks for pointing out the important of Bashi Channel which I've never notice. Great job

[sanjaykhanka]

Being the USA Army General, i am pretty much impressed with your presentation

[GentiluomoStraniero]

As an American, I feel we should invest a little more with our long time allies, the Philippines. They deserve it for standing along side us for o long.

[strongninjagaming]

Nice to see some quality geopolitical videos, keep up the good work!

[rysleul]

It can only realize if there is a radar installations within those islands. Fact is chinese vessels can traverse within bashi channel without our country detecting it. Electronic detection must be installed first before we can say that

[normal]

I am from India and I support the Taiwan as independent country 👍🙌