US promises to defend Philippines if China attacks the country – Observer

The United States, Japan and the Philippines denounced Beijing’s “dangerous and aggressive behavior” in the South China Sea, in a joint statement issued at the end of a summit in Washington.

“We express our deep concern about the dangerous and aggressive behavior of the People’s Republic of China in the South China Sea”, reads the statement, released on Thursday, after the summit.

North American President Joe Biden, his Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also expressed concern about the “militarization of conquered territory and illegal maritime claims” in that strategic zone.

Beijing announces “combat patrols” in the South China Sea

Beijing disputes territories in these waters, crucial for world trade and rich in energy resourceswith countries such as Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

The tripartite summit announced greater cooperation in technology, infrastructure and maritime security in the face of China’s growing hegemony in the Indo-Pacific region.

Joe Biden received Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Fumio Kishida at the White House, in an unprecedented summit between the leaders of the three countries, against the backdrop of several incidents involving China in the maritime area.

“The United States’ commitment to the security of Japan and the Philippines is unwavering“, stated the 81-year-old Democratic President.

In a warning addressed to Beijing, Biden pledged during the summit to defend the Philippines in the event of “an attack” in the South China Sea.

Beijing accuses the US of using the Philippines as a “pawn” in the South China Sea. President of the Philippines expresses “deep concern”

The US President declared that “any attack against a plane, a ship or the Philippine armed forces” in that maritime zone “it would trigger the application of the mutual defense treaty” that links Washington to Manila.

Biden referred to the common objective of a “free, open, prosperous and secure” Asia-Pacific, a recurring expression used by the United States to refer to projects considered dangerous and aggressive by China.

Chinese authorities had already reacted to the announcement, on Wednesday, of increased military cooperation between Washington and Tokyo.

“The United States and Japan, defying China’s serious concerns, have defamed and attacked China over Taiwan and maritime issues,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning.

Chinese MNE warns that attempts to create conflicts in Asia-Pacific “have no future”

Meanwhile, speaking to the press, the Philippine head of state stated that this was a historic meeting: “Today’s meeting gives us the opportunity to define the future we want and the means to achieve it together”added Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

In recent months, tensions between China and the Philippines — which are increasingly asserting territorial claims in the maritime zone in question — have reached levels not seen in years.

A series of incidents since late 2023 near disputed reefs in the South China Sea have been the cause of disputes.

Philippines calls on Beijing to stop intimidation in disputed South China Sea

Last month, there were two collisions between Chinese and Philippine ships near the Ren’ai atoll, designated as Ayungin by Manila.