On Friday, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated that a trilateral agreement involving the Philippines, the United States, and Japan would alter the dynamics in the South China Sea and the broader region. He also reassured China that the agreement was not aimed at targeting them.

"I think the trilateral agreement is extremely important," Marcos told a press conference in Washington a day after meeting US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the nations' first trilateral summit.

He said, "It is going to change the dynamic, the dynamic that we see in the region, in ASEAN in Asia, around the South China Sea," referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The three leaders conveyed "serious concerns" regarding China's alleged "dangerous and aggressive behavior" in the South China Sea, an essential route for over $3 trillion in annual maritime trade. The region is marked by various naval disputes involving China and other nations.

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'Not directed against any country'

Marcos emphasized that the summit was "not directed against any specific country." Instead, its primary focus was to enhance economic and security ties among Manila, Washington, and Tokyo. It's significant to mention that Philippine and Chinese ships have been involved in a series of incidents over the past month, which have included the use of water cannons and tense verbal exchanges.

This comes after US President Joe Biden vowed to protect the Philippines against any aggression in the South China Sea amid escalating tensions with Beijing.

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.

On Thursday, Beijing summoned Manila's ambassador to China and a Japanese embassy official to express opposition to what its foreign ministry characterized as "negative comments" against China.

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 trilateral summit.