China is attempting to create a buffer zone in the South China Sea, militarizing artificial islands to keep away the US and its allies from patrolling the strategic waterway where about $3 trillion worth of annual trade passes.
Tokyo wanted countries in the region to cooperate and ensure economic self-sufficiency and end European and American dominance and influence from the Communist Soviet Union.
The Philippines has to increase its defense spending to a modest 2% of its GDP to build up a minimum credible defense capability and play catch up with the rest of its Southeast Asian neighbors.