Biden pledges support: Defending the Philippines in the South China Sea

• President Joe Biden pledges US “ironclad” support for the Philippines against any attack in the South China Sea.
• The US and the Philippines have maintained a mutual defense treaty since 1951.
• China has dismissed criticism of its actions in the South China Sea.

In a strong declaration, President Joe Biden has vowed that the US will defend the Philippines from any attack in the South China Sea, affirming its “ironclad” support for Manila. This statement from Mr. Biden comes amidst regular skirmishes and escalating tensions between Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels in the disputed waterway. The US and the Philippines have maintained a mutual defense treaty since 1951.

At the outset of three-way talks at the White House with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Mr. Biden asserted that “any attack on Philippine aircraft, vessels, or armed forces in the South China Sea would trigger our mutual defense treaty,” despite China’s repeated accusations of the US escalating tensions in the region.

Mr. Marcos’s visit to Washington coincides with his country’s recent accusation against a Chinese vessel for engaging in “highly dangerous maneuvers” near the Second Thomas Shoal, a disputed maritime region near the Spratly Islands.

The incident is one of several instances where Chinese ships have faced accusations of harassment in the area, including firing water cannons and ramming Philippine ships. Although the three leaders did not explicitly mention China by name, Mr. Marcos stated that they collectively expressed an “unwavering commitment to the rules-based international order.”

For its part, China has repeatedly dismissed criticism of its actions in the South China Sea and has shifted blame onto the US for inflaming tensions in the Indo-Pacific.

“No one should violate China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and China remains steadfast in safeguarding our lawful rights,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Thursday.

According to statements from the White House and Japan’s foreign ministry, the three countries intend to advance “trilateral defense cooperation,” including conducting joint naval exercises. The trilateral meeting follows one day after Mr. Biden and Mr. Kishida announced a series of agreements between the US and Japan, primarily aimed at enhancing defense ties in response to a potential threat from China.

Those plans entail expanding an air defense network to incorporate Australia and establishing a joint command structure between the US and Japan. Furthermore, US and Japanese forces will engage in three-way military exercises with the UK.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Mr. Kishida acknowledged that the US and Japan would address “challenges” from China, even as they aim to continue “dialogue with China and cooperation on common challenges.”

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