Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: At least two soldiers killed by anti-tank missile fired at Israeli army forces in the Gaza Strip
Local Syrian sources: Mortar shells fell on more than nine villages in the Sweida countryside
Local Syrian sources: Dozens of dead and wounded have arrived at Sweida hospitals as a result of ongoing clashes at several locations in the western Sweida countryside
Local sources: Civilians, including children and women, were injured in the al-Maqous neighborhood of Sweida, in Syria, as a result of ongoing clashes
Israeli media outlet: Security incident reported in the Gaza Strip
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation

Countering Beijing in S. China Sea key topic in US, Philippines talks

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 1 May 2023 23:11
3 Min Read

As China has been discussing the sovereignty of the South China Sea more openly and confidently, the US and its Asian allies have remained on high alert amid pre-existing tensions over Taiwan.

  • x
  • U.S. President Joe Biden takes part in a bilateral meeting with Philippines President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr. in New York, US, September 22, 2022 (Reuters)
    US President Joe Biden takes part in a bilateral meeting with Philippines President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. in New York, US, September 22, 2022 (Reuters)

During Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos' four-day trip to the US to meet with President Joe Biden, reporters were told by an anonymous senior US official that both nations are "in a deeply consequential period in terms of our Indo-Pacific engagements."

This comes a few days after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol visited the US and after a January meeting between Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

"It's really the first kind of meeting at this level and intensity between the United States and the Philippines in decades," the official added. 

As China has been discussing the sovereignty of the South China Sea more openly and confidently, the US and its Asian allies have remained on high alert amid pre-existing tensions over Taiwan, which has prompted joint military exercises. 

The US and Philippines wrapped up their largest-ever military training after troops conducted a joint fire drill in the contested waters of the South China Sea last month. Groups of the two armies blasted a supposed enemy warship placed in disputed waters North of Manila.

Before leaving for the US, Marcos indicated and emphasized that he "will not allow the Philippines to be used as a staging post for any kind of military action." However, just less than a month ago, the Philippines announced the location of four additional military bases to be used by US troops, with one site near Taiwan.

Related News

US demands allies' plans in event of Taiwan war erupting

Trump threatens to bomb Moscow, Beijing in leaked audio: CNN

The locations of four additional military bases, and another not far from Taiwan -- agreed upon under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) of 2014 -- were revealed by Manila last month.

Read more: US warns Beijing of military response if China targets Philippine army 

The agreement permits the rotation of US soldiers through the bases, as well as the storage of defense supplies and equipment there. It has drawn criticism from Beijing, which recently claimed that it was a result of "US efforts to encircle and contain China through its military alliance with this country," its embassy in the Philippines said.

US bases aim for being 'better allies'

The senior official claimed that the Philippines is "looking for reassurance and a strong desire to maintain peace and stability in this complex period," adding that "recent events have caused much greater focus in both capitals on taking the necessary steps to up our game, to improve engagement on the security side between the United States and the Philippines."

According to the official, "bilateral defense guidelines" would witness "a series of steps to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization."

In response to the presence of US bases in the Philippines, White House National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby stated that the bases remain part of the Filipino military and "every single step of the way will be done in complete coordination... it's about our ability to be better allies to one another and meet our commitments to each other."

The US official concluded by confirming that Biden is due to meet soon in a trilateral format with the leaders of Japan and South Korea before leaving for Australia to convene with the Quad group: Australia, India, Japan, and the United States.

  • Taiwan
  • US
  • Ferdinand Marcos
  • China
  • Philippines
  • Australia
  • Joe Biden

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS