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
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

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

Taiwan activists demand end to support for Israeli genocide in Gaza

Trump slaps 20% tariff on Taiwanese goods

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

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

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