In a recent development, US President Joe Biden has issued a stern warning to China, asserting that the United States will stand by the Philippines in the event of any aggression within the hotly disputed South China Sea. This statement comes on the heels of a series of collisions involving Filipino and Chinese vessels in the contested maritime region.
US President Joe Biden declaration marks his strongest stance to date as tensions have escalated between Beijing and Manila in recent months. He left no room for ambiguity, emphasizing the unwavering commitment of the United States to the defense of the Philippines.
The backdrop to this latest episode of tension is rooted in the long-standing Mutual Defense Treaty inked between the US and the Philippines back in 1951. This treaty binds these two nations, with the United States pledging to come to the aid of its former colony, the Philippines, in the event of an armed attack. US President Joe Biden made it crystal clear that any hostile act against Filipino aircraft, vessels, or armed forces would trigger the Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines.
While President Biden’s remarks were met with resolute support from Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the response from China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, was predictably contrary. Mao asserted that the US had no right to intercede in a dispute between China and the Philippines. She further insisted that any actions taken by the US must not impinge upon China’s sovereignty and maritime interests in the South China Sea.
The recent tensions stemmed from incidents in the South China Sea, where Chinese maneuvers led to a collision between a China coast guard ship and a Filipino supply boat within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Additionally, a separate episode involved a Chinese militia boat allegedly bumping a Philippine coast guard vessel. Manila claims that the Chinese boats deliberately collided with the Philippine vessels, and it has accused China of distorting the facts to suit its narrative.
US President Joe Biden concurred with these assertions, highlighting the dangerous and unlawful conduct of the Chinese vessels during these collisions.
The Philippines holds a pivotal position as a strategic ally of the United States, flanking two potential flashpoints in the Pacific – the South China Sea and Taiwan. The country’s recent stance against China’s actions in the South China Sea has become more assertive since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assumed office in June 2022, reversing the pro-China stance adopted by his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte had faced criticism for what was perceived as a tepid response to Beijing’s South China Sea aggressions, including his refusal to invoke an international tribunal’s ruling that invalidated China’s expansive claims in the region.
The dynamics in the South China Sea continue to be a point of global interest and concern, with the involvement of major powers, including the United States, influencing the region’s future.
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