Taipei:Taiwan, the Philippines, and Japan should collaborate on defense strategies to counter China's activities along the first island chain, as recommended by a Philippine academic on Tuesday. Renato Cruz De Castro, a professor at De La Salle University, highlighted the need for this cooperation during a forum in Taipei. He pointed out China's operations near the Philippines in the South China Sea as a catalyst for Manila's Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC), the country's first "grand strategy."

According to Focus Taiwan, De Castro explained that the CADC was influenced by former President Rodrigo Duterte's realization in 2019 that China's actions, whether challenged or appeased, led to subjugation. The strategy, set for adoption in 2024, encourages the Philippines to look beyond the South China Sea towards Taiwan, where a significant Filipino population resides.

De Castro emphasized the necessity of "hard balancing" against China, noting that the Philippines' focus should not solely be on land features as much of its territory is maritime. Japan's involvement in regional defense was also acknowledged, particularly its participation in Exercise Balikatan 2026 alongside the United States and the Philippines, which signaled Japan's evolving security posture.

He advocated for a trilateral defense cooperation among Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines to enhance their collective capabilities against China's actions. De Castro suggested that cooperation could be achieved without public announcements, citing the low-profile nature of current Taiwan-Philippines and Taiwan-Japan coast guard interactions.