Philippine envoy says South China Sea is the ‘real flashpoint’ in Asia, not Taiwan

The Philippines’ top envoy in the United States has said the South China Sea, not Taiwan, is the “real flashpoint” for an armed conflict in the region, warning “all hell would break loose” if Washington decides to invoke a mutual security treaty to defend Manila in the disputed waterway.

Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez said the threat of growing maritime tension between his country and China turning into a military campaign was more alarming than the prospect of Beijing invading the island.