The Philippines and the US will cooperate better in addressing the situation in the South China Sea.

The defense ministers, foreign ministers, and national security advisors of the United States and the Philippines have all expressed concern over China's actions in the South China Sea and emphasized the need for coordinated action between Washington and Manila.

The South China Sea was the subject of discussion among US and Philippine defense ministers, foreign ministers, and security advisors in Washington on April 12. (Source: AP)

On April 12th, the US and Philippine defense ministers, foreign ministers, and security advisors met in Washington, with the main focus of their discussions being the situation in the South China Sea.

The meeting took place a day after the trilateral US-Japan-Philippines summit at the White House.

Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo accused China of escalating tensions in the South China Sea, while expressing hope that his meeting with US officials would allow Washington and Manila to better coordinate their diplomatic, defense, and security responses to actions in the South China Sea.

In response, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stressed that Washington's commitment to the mutual defense treaty with the Philippines is "unwavering."

"We are working closely with our counterparts at the Philippine Department of Defence to enhance interoperability between our forces, expand operational coordination, and counter coercive behavior in the South China Sea," Austin emphasized.

Earlier on April 11, US President Joe Biden, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio met at the White House and expressed concern about China's actions in the South China Sea.

China has unilaterally claimed sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, despite objections from many countries, including the Philippines and the United States. In the South China Sea, tensions between China and the Philippines have become increasingly complex following incidents of ship collisions and water cannon attacks.

(according to Reuters)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/philippines-va-my-se-phoi-hop-tot-hon-truoc-tinh-hinh-o-bien-dong-267849.html