Manila. Francisco Sande, governor of the Philippines, requests 4,000 to 6,000 soldiers to invade China, plus the support of a Japanese armada. In 1579, the proposal increases to 10,000-12,000 Spanish soldiers, 5,000-6,000 Filipinos, and as many Japanese as possible. King Philip will deny this support, deeming it ridiculous to attempt to conquer China militarily. China will have to be conquered commercially, and the base from which to do so is Manila. A Chinese ghetto will be created in Manila for the Chinese sailors and traders who commute to and from China. This ghetto will grow enormously, housing over 20,000 people, with wooden huts (building in stone was forbidden). In 1603, a revolt is bloodily suppressed, and in 1628 it burns almost completely, but is promptly rebuilt.
