ISTANBUL

The Philippines sees the rising tensions in Taiwan Strait as a “major concern” that might affect the country, said an official document published on Tuesday.

In its National Security Policy 2023 to 2028, the Philippine government said that Taiwan-China relations have “potential to be the flashpoint in the region.”

“Any military conflict in the Taiwan Strait would inevitably affect the Philippines given the geographic proximity of Taiwan to the Philippine archipelago and the presence of over 150,000 Filipinos in Taiwan,” it said.

It also said the “heightened rivalries among the major powers are contributing to a more tense geopolitical landscape.”

China sees Taiwan as its “breakaway province” while Taipei has insisted on its independence since 1949.

Manila's five-year National Security Policy came as relations between the Philippines and China soared due to tensions in the disputed South China Sea.

The vessels of two neighbors regularly encounter each other as the two sides have overlapping maritime claims.

Tensions escalated after Manila provided the US with expanded access to its military bases, some of which are located in Isabela and Cagayan – northern provinces facing Taiwan.