US and Philippines step up strategic partnership as China threats loom in South China Sea
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Friday reassured the Philippines anew that the U.S. commitment to the country’s defense is steadfast amid increasing concerns about provocative Chinese actions in disputed areas of the South China Sea.
A day after President Joe Biden convened a trilateral summit involving himself, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the U.S. and Filipino foreign and defense ministers and national security advisers met to discuss strategic and military issues.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and national security adviser Jake Sullivan hosted their Philippine counterparts at the State Department.
“Today’s meeting reflects the growing and deepening cooperation between our countries on a broad array of issues and of course our shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, including in the South China Sea,” Blinken said in brief opening remarks. “We very much welcome this opportunity to pursue that cooperation, that collaboration and of course we stand with the Philippines in our iron-clad defense commitments including the Mutual Defense Treaty.”
Related articles
Trump accepts a VP debate but wants it on Fox News. Harris has already said yes to CBS
NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump said Friday his campaign has accepted an invitation from Fox News for h2024-05-21Taylor Swift leaves QR codes with secret meanings in Sydney and Melbourne ahead of the much
Taylor Swift has sent her fans on an online scavenger hunt ahead of the release week of her highly-a2024-05-21UN refugee agency tells Cyprus to stick to the law in its efforts at sea to thwart refugee boats
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — The United Nations’ refugee agency said Friday that Cypriot efforts at sea to2024-05-21Apple pulls WhatsApp and Threads from App Store on Beijing's orders
HONG KONG (AP) — Apple said it had removed Meta’s WhatsApp messaging app and its Threads social medi2024-05-21Kevin Pillar gets 1,000th career hit in Angels' win at Texas
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Kevin Pillar tucked a keepsake ball into his bag from his 1,000th career hit2024-05-21She means business! Rita Ora steps out in chic tailored three
Rita Ora looked like she meant business on Thursday as she strutted around Sydney in a grey three-pi2024-05-21
atest comment