Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr recently welcomed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin to Manila for meetings aimed at strengthening ties between Manila and Washington in response to escalating tensions in the disputed South China Sea. The Philippines, a key US ally in the region, has been involved in a series of confrontations with China over territorial claims in the area. The recent 2+2 meetings between the two countries marked a significant step in their collaboration.
During the meetings, Marcos emphasized the importance of regular and open communication between Manila and Washington to ensure an agile response to the challenges in the South China Sea. Both Blinken and Austin expressed gratitude for the partnership between the two nations and reiterated the US’s commitment to upholding international law in the region.
The visit comes as part of a larger US strategy to strengthen alliances in the Indo-Pacific region to counter China’s growing influence. The US has announced $500m in foreign military financing for the Philippines and proposed infrastructure improvements at Philippine bases accessible to US forces. The two countries are also negotiating an intelligence-sharing deal to enhance their cooperation in defense and security matters.
Amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea, the US has been working closely with its allies in the region to address China’s assertive behavior. The recent meetings in Manila underscore the growing cooperation between the Philippines and the US in the face of shared security challenges.
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