The statement came after US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin met Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr in Manila on Thursday.The US hasn't said where the new bases are but three of them could be on Luzon, an island on the northern edge of the Philippines, the only large piece of land close to Taiwan - if you don't count China.China criticised the agreement, saying "US actions escalate regional tension and undermine regional peace and stability"."The United States, out of its self interests and zero-sum game mentality, continues to step up military posture in this region," its embassy said in a statement.
