Is the Philippines becoming China’s next “plus-one” in Asia’s economic strategy? As U.S. tariffs hit Chinese exports, Beijing is quietly redirecting global investments toward new partners — and Manila is emerging as a key backup manufacturing hub. But with the South China Sea heating up and China warning the U.S. over increased military activity, can the Philippines truly enjoy this economic boom without stepping into geopolitical crossfire? From next-gen semiconductor tech — where China now pro