In a significant move to strengthen regional security, the Philippines has installed advanced Japanese radar systems near its northern coastlines, strategically close to Taiwan. Taiwan News claimed the Philippines is ready to boost its coastal surveillance ability by deploying Japanese-supplied radars in the Batanes archipelago. The decision comes amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea and increasing Chinese power in the region, which has raised concerns among neighbouring countries and their global allies.

The radars, located fewer than 200 kilometres from Taiwan, will be essential in monitoring the Bashi Channel, which divides the Philippines from Taiwan. The Bashi Channel might be used to evacuate Filipinos if China invades. 

As per Japan's Chief of Staff General Romeo Brauner Jr., it is necessary to install radars at all significant choke points in the nation. According to Taiwan News, in 2023, Japan provided the Philippines with five radar systems worth 3.8 million US dollars (US$126 million) as part of an official security assistance program. The plan is to increase security collaboration with like-minded allies.

Taiwan News reported, citing CNA, that Chief of Staff Bashi stressed the importance of keeping the channel available and free from control by any one country.

Brauner also noted that Batanes has been recognised as a possible destination for the evacuation of Filipinos from Taiwan in the event of an attack by China.

Meanwhile, the country is conducting annual military exercises with the United States in Batanes province, and Japan may take part in future exercises.

It should be noted that the Taiwan-China issue is a complicated and prolonged-standing geopolitical conflict centred on Taiwan's sovereignty. Taiwan, which is officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), manages its own government, military, and economy, operating as a de facto independent state. However, China views Taiwan as a breakaway province and demands the "one China" policy, which asserts that there is only one China, with Beijing as its capital city.

This has increased tensions for decades; during the Chinese Civil War (1945-1949), the ROC government fled to Taiwan as the Communist Party, under the leadership of Mao Zedong, seized control of mainland China. Beijing aims to reunify Taiwan and has used diplomatic, economic and military pressure to isolate it globally. Meanwhile, Taiwan maintains its independence with the support of a sizable majority of its population.