US Stands With Philippines In opposition to Chinese language ‘Intimidation’ in S. China Sea
(Reuters) – The United States stands with treaty ally the Philippines within the face of harassment by China’s coast guard within the South China Sea and stays deeply involved about “intimidation” by Beijing, a senior U.S. official stated on Tuesday.
A go to to the United States this week by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr highlights the power and endurance of the alliance between the 2 international locations, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel J. Kritenbrink stated.
The Philippines on Friday accused China’s coast guard of “harmful manoeuvres” and “aggressive techniques” within the South China Sea, in one other maritime confrontation between the 2 international locations. China stated the Philippines vessels made “deliberate provocative strikes”.
“We stay deeply involved by (China’s) continued intimidation and harassment of Philippine vessels as they proceed to undertake actually routine patrols inside the Philippine unique financial zone,” he stated in a teleconference from the United States.
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“Such actions and behavior on the a part of Beijing are really unacceptable.”
Kritenbrink additionally stated the United States and its companions recognised the significance of sustaining peace throughout the Taiwan Strait.
The Philippines and United States on Monday reaffirmed their decades-old safety alliance in a visit that marks a dramatic turnaround of their relations, as each international locations search methods to push again China’s assertiveness close to Taiwan and within the South China Sea.
U.S. President Joe Biden informed Marcos on Monday stated the U.S. dedication to defending its treaty ally was “ironclad”. Marcos stated the area had “arguably essentially the most sophisticated geopolitical state of affairs on this planet proper now.”
Under Rodrigo Duterte, Marcos’ anti-U.S. predecessor, relations soured as he sought to courtroom China whereas overtly rebuking Washington.
Kritenbrink stated he was “exceptionally assured” about bilateral ties.
(Reporting by Karen Lema in Manila; Editing by Martin Petty)
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