The Philippines Bashi Channel has become a significant concern for China as the recent establishment of US bases in the Philippines has left them vulnerable to attack due to the lack of strategic space. Major Chinese cities are now within 600 miles of a potential attack, greatly reducing China’s control over the South China Sea.
The Bashi Channel is a critical chokepoint that allows the connection between China’s shores and the open ocean, making it essential for China to maintain control over the area to ensure its strategic space and maritime border security.
The channel is important for China’s strategic projection and serves as a major conduit for global data traffic, with 97 to 99% of all data traffic passing through the submarine cable network. For China, controlling the Bashi Channel and the Philippines is essential in maintaining control over the main door from the Pacific Ocean into the south of China.
It is crucial for China to maintain control over this area to ensure its strategic space and maritime border security. The lack of access points larger than 200 miles into the Pacific Ocean leaves China vulnerable to attack, with the Miyako and Bashi channels being critical chokepoints.
If China loses control over these areas, it would greatly shift the balance of power in the region and put the majority of the Chinese population and industries at risk of being within Tomahawk range. The Bashi Channel serves as a primary bottleneck for data transmission between Asia and North America, making it crucial for China’s strategic projection and the global economy.
The channel and the submarine cable network play a significant role in China’s maritime border security and in maintaining control over the South China Sea. Overall, the Bashi Channel and the Philippines are critical points in the US-China conflict, and their control is essential for both countries’ strategic goals.
Video by: Kamome