US-Philippines Engagements: A Strategic Response to China’s South China Sea Ambitions

 July 30, MANILA — The Philippines in order to ensure “agile” responses to his country’s maritime concerns with China, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. informed U.S. cabinet secretaries Antony Blinken and Lloyd Austin on Tuesday that regular interactions between Manila and Washington were necessary.

With Marcos taking over for Rodrigo Duterte in 2022, the Philippines has become more integrated with the US.
It has been widely recognized that Rodrigo Duterte favors political alignment between Manila and China.

Prior to their discussions with their counterparts from the Philippines, Enrique Manalo, and Gilberto Teodoro, the Philippine President welcomed Blinken and Austin to the Malacañang Palace on Tuesday. Manila is hosting the “2+2” summits between the two nations for the first time.

After wrapping up 2-days of highly productive meetings in Tokyo with leaders from Japan and the Republic of Korea. The American camp travelled to the Philippines to visit Manila and Subic Bay.

Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin III mentioned both Japanese and Philippines visit in a video, that he posted on X- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on X: “I’m halfway through my 11th trip to the Indo-Pacific. Yesterday, @SecBlinken and I wrapped up 2-days of highly productive meetings in Tokyo with leaders from Japan and the Republic of Korea. Next up, I’m traveling to the Philippines to visit Manila and Subic Bay. https://t.co/uNNrfogQNW” / X

“I am always delighted that these channels of communication are open, as it allows us to continuously review and reevaluate everything we are doing as a team, regarding our alliance and the unique circumstances of our position in the West Philippine Sea and the Indo-Pacific, ensuring that we are quick to respond,” Marcos stated.

According to Blinken, the discussions demonstrated “a steady drum beat and a very high level of engagement between our countries”.

Blinken told Marcos, “We are sincerely grateful for this partnership”.

In the South China Sea, located to the west of the Philippines, China and the Philippines have conflicting claims. 90% of the sea is claimed by China as sovereign land.

A major flashpoint has emerged at Second Thomas Shoal, which is located roughly 200 kilometres (124 miles) off the western Philippine Island.

A Filipino sailor lost a finger last month as a result of an altercation with the Chinese coastguard that Manila described as “intentional-high speed ramming.”

Last month, the Philippines and China came to a “provisional arrangement” to resolve disagreements; however, the specifics of the agreement have not yet been made public.

According to State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, Blinken and Austin spoke with Marcos about “their shared commitment to upholding international law in the South China Sea.”

Miller released a statement after the meeting in which she stated, “The two secretaries underscored the United States’ ironclad commitments to the Philippines under our Mutual Defense Treaty.”

A few days ago, Blinken, Austin, and their Japanese counterparts, another important American partner in East Asia, announced an increase to the U.S. military command in Japan, calling China the “greatest strategic challenge” the area faces. This was during the QUAD meeting.

To know more about the last Quad development, follow the link: Quad Ministers Address China’s Influence in South China Sea at Tokyo Summit | News India Official

Blinken also denounced China’s conduct in the South China Sea during a QUAD meeting on Monday with the foreign ministers of Australia, India, and Japan.

During their meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday in Laos, the top U.S. official criticized Beijing for its policies towards Taiwan and the Philippines.

The Quad was accused by China’s foreign ministry of “artificially creating tension, inciting confrontation and containing the development of other countries” in response to Washington and Tokyo’s criticism of China’s “normal military development and national defence policy.”

A portion of the $2 billion in aid for Indo-Pacific nations that the US Congress views as “confronting Chinese aggression” will be announced by US officials during the visit, according to the Pentagon.

The announcement will include $500 million in foreign military finance for the Philippines.

Additionally, the Pentagon has suggested investing $128 million to upgrade the infrastructure at Philippine facilities that are open to US personnel as part of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

Nine sites are currently covered by the EDCA, after Manila decided to add four more last year. These include one site that faces the South China Sea and three in the north that are thought to be crucial in the event that China invades Taiwan.

A General Security of Military Information Agreement, which the two nations had hoped to finalize by the end of 2023, has also been negotiated. It concerns intelligence and cooperation.

China can offset these trends by forming more strong strategic partnerships with North Korea and Russia. The Global stage is waiting to see Beijing’s response to these measures.

Team Profile

Mohammad Kaif ZaidiNews Writer

Mohammad Kaif Zaidi is a student of MA Mass Communication and Journalism at Aligarh Muslim University. His background is strongly backed by his previous experience in the vibrant spectrum of mass communication and journalism. He possesses a creative and technical personality with a robust approach towards his work.

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