Biden pledges to defend Philippines from any attack in South China Sea
3 Min Read
US President Joe Biden pledges that the US will ensure the defense of the Philippines and Japan from any 'aggression' in the South China Sea.
-
Australian Navy ship HMAS Warramunga, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces ship JS Akebono, and United States Navy ship USS Mobile (LCD-26) maneuver during the first Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity at the South China Sea on Sunday, April 7, 2024. (AP)
During the inaugural joint summit with Manila and Tokyo, US President Joe Biden vowed to protect the Philippines against any aggression in the South China Sea amid escalating tensions with Beijing.
“The United States’ defense commitments to Japan and the Philippines are ironclad,” the US President reiterated this statement on Thursday during his meetings with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
The White House summit ensues multiple incidents between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the disputed waterway, heightening worries about a broader conflict.
Biden's commitment follows a bilateral meeting between him and Kishida, marking the development of their alliance, a move that elicited strong criticism from the Chinese government. “Any attack on Philippine aircraft, vessels, or armed forces in the South China Sea would invoke our mutual defense treaty,” said Biden.
He reiterated a comparable commitment when he hosted the Philippine president at the White House last year.
On Thursday, Beijing accused the Philippines of violating Chinese sovereignty in the South China Sea.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated China is "dedicated to resolving the situation at Ren'ai Jiao with the Philippines through dialogue and consultation."
Mao also accused Manila of ignoring a “gentleman’s agreement” made with the previous president, Rodrigo Duterte, who on Friday told Chinese media outlet the Global Times that he believed the US was directing the new Philippines government.
China conducts drills in South China Sea
Earlier this month, the Chinese Army confirmed that China is conducting military "combat patrols" in the South China Sea, on the same day as joint drills by the Philippines, the United States, Japan, and Australia.
Beijing's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command said in a statement that it was organizing "joint naval and air combat patrols in the South China Sea", adding, “All military activities that mess up the situation in the South China Sea and create hotspots are under control”.
This update came mere days before Biden conducted the first trilateral summit with the leaders of the Philippines and Japan.
Read next: US, Philippines conduct joint military exercises in South China Sea
Last month, Beijing's Defense Ministry said in the backdrop of the South China Sea incident that "the provocations by the Philippine side are the direct cause of the recent heating up of the South China Sea issue."
The Defense Ministry statement, titled "China Will Not Allow the Philippines to Act Wilfully," noted that "Relying on the backing of external forces... the Philippine side has frequently infringed on rights and provoked and created trouble at sea, as well as spreading false information to mislead the international community's perception of the issue, which is, so to speak, going further and further down a dangerous road."
The statement underscored that "China will not allow the Philippines to do whatever it wants, and has responded in a reasonable and forceful manner."
