How The US and Philippines Just Checkmated China

The United States and the Philippines just teamed up to deliver a knockout blow to China. Was this move a calculated risk or did this just send a message to China that war is on the horizon? Don't miss this engaging new video that analyzes the powerplay move that puts China in checkmate.

The videos are made by the same team that brings you The Infographics Show.

All videos are based on publicly available information unless otherwise noted.

[rainieresguerra]

The Philippines really went out of its way to establish better relations with China.
Duterte made a huge and nearly inconceivable pivot by steering the Philippines away from the US and the West towards China- aiming to stop Chinese harrassment and bullying of Filipino fishermen and naval vessels as well as from arbitrarily grabbing areas of the SCS under the control or within the EEZ of the Philippines.
But China just played Duterte and the latter, in the last year of his administration got fed up with China and began re-establishing better relations with the US.
The current President, Marcos Jr, visited China even before going to the US, the longest Philippine ally, and to Japan, the Philippines' biggest development partner and aid donor.
After coming back from China early this year, Marcos Jr happpily announced that he and Xi Jin Ping made positive strides towards peacefully resolving the SCS between the countries.
Then, just a few days after, Chinese militias resumed harrassing Filipino fishermen and targeted a Filipino Coast Guard ship with a military grade laser, causing temporary blindness to a Filipino sailor.
Marcos Jr was so embarrassed.
The usually calm, soft spoken and diplomatic Marcos Jr angrily summoned the Chinese ambassador and gave him the strongest rebuke that Marcos Jr has ever given as President by reminding the Chinese ambassador that friends don't target each other with lasers.
China pushed Marcos Jr towards the Americans and forced the Philippine President to pivot again towards the west.
China's problem is that Marcos jr is more capable in terms of international geopolitics and more adept at building alliances than Duterte. Marcos Jr is also more charismatic and articulate.
Now, Marcos has not only strengthened Philippine alliance with the US but also Japan, Australia, Indonesia and, unbelievably, Vietnam.

[TheTempest]

Yes, the Philippines is a great staging ground for deterrence, but it also means the Philippines would be included in Chinas cross hairs. Filipinos don't have much of a choice because of China's aggressive behavior tho, so the U.S. is the only option.

[armend]

To every Nation that supports the Philippines, Thank you!❤ This country loves you too! Thank you!

[waffle_burger]

The Philippines is absolutely critical as part of the first island chain of defense against China (aka West Taiwan) fully breaking out into the Pacific. It will be great to see the US back in Subic Bay naval base and the old alliance renewed.

[AzurtX]

For everyone and every country that supports us Filipinos, we sincerely appreciate you all. It means pure joy and hope for us! ❤🇵🇭❤

[LoumerManreal]

it is nice to hear how US is trying to be helpful to the Philippines, but it is hard to unthink that everytime US help a nation, it became a battlefield of other nation vs the nations citizens.

[silverpillars]

Its important to note that during Dutertes time, we hope to appease China, but they betrayed us. We were hoping to achieve a favorable term from China with the disputes on the Islands but we didnt get one. Now its time to call on our old ally and the response was well more than what we expect. Thank you USA!!!

[ranrun]

What really sucks tho is how the majority of America and China’s citizen when asked wants peace. Not only china and america but all the countries that has their own cold war with different nations.
It sucks that the citizens of the world cant do anything but accept whatever their respective nation decide to do.

[gkfujiwaraesquibel]

Filipinos favor the US for the most part so yeah.
Not to mention that China bullies us too.

[rjhemedes]

If the USA military had never left the Philippines in the 90s, China would never have built island bases in the Spratly Islands. I understand why the Philippines kicked out the USA military, but it ultimately turned out to be mistake because China quickly moved in as soon as the USA military moved out.

[samegalle]

The US Navy has almost THIRTY SIX aircraft carriers...
You forgot about the Amphibious warfare ships that can carry 18 F-35s each, and would most likely be forward deployed to bridge the gap between the nuclear carriers and airfields.
During WW2 it was escort carriers carrying 18 bombers that fulfulled the same role spectacularly well.

[nomadv]

This and the infographics show are just so smooth and easy to watch. Thanks to the teams ❤

[jaypeedaz]

I was still hoping that the US can create a defense agreement which includes all the concerned party in the SEA + India, Japan and AU. That will prevent China from doing anything at all as all of them are their trading partners while at the same time have territorial issues with each of them except AU.

[tsu]

If Im not mistaken, historically we are not an enemy of china but when they started occupying Philippine territories within our Exclusive Economic Zone we will not back down and watch them claim what is rightfully ours. ❤️ 🇵🇭

[pleblow]

Imagine a path when China made the Philippines as an Ally rather than bully their way to their objective.

[monke]

If ever China elects a new leader, there might be a chance that this will be resolved, depends whether the new leader is more stern on foreign policy or more pacifist. And US should also sign more economic agreements and investments that would greatly help Philippines' economy to match with China.

[jalotjotalt]

Damn now my country is getting involved in this. Thank you for supporting and respecting us, we'll happily fight by your side should u need us

[chrisjames]

The Philippines can see what happened to Hong Kong, and, they want none of that.

[Godblessme]

Filipino was tired of china that's why Philippines choose US

[Tactical_ni]

The Phillipines will always be our Allies & Brothers in Arms period ❤ Much love to the US & Filipino Soliders who are out there on standy by!