Summary
- U.S.-Philippines ties are strong with joint military exercises resembling preparations to repel a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
- In the northern Philippines, China has made inroads with key politicians near a crucial military base recently accessed by the U.S.
- Governor Manuel Mamba of Cagayan province has visited China twice in the past year and owns four copies of President Xi Jinping’s book.
- Mamba praised his VIP treatment in China, staying in five-star hotels and being free to roam around at night.
