Taiwan’s Top Envoy Makes Rare Philippines Visit as Ties Ramp Up

Taiwan's top envoy, Joseph Wu, made an unofficial visit to the Philippines on Thursday, underscoring the growing ties between the two nations. This visit comes amid rising tensions with China, as both Taiwan and the Philippines navigate their relationships with the regional superpower. The visit, although unofficial, is seen as a significant step in strengthening the diplomatic and economic cooperation between Taiwan and the Philippines. The two countries have been quietly expanding their ties, particularly in areas such as trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges. The visit is also notable as it represents a rare public acknowledgment of the growing relationship between Taiwan and the Philippines, which has traditionally maintained a delicate balance in its dealings with both Taiwan and China. This latest development is likely to be closely watched by regional powers as they assess the shifting geopolitical landscape in the Asia-Pacific region.