The US and Philippine defense ministers, foreign ministers and security advisers all expressed concern over China's actions in the East Sea and emphasized the coordination of actions between Washington and Manila.
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| The East Sea was the topic of discussion between the US and Philippine defense ministers, foreign ministers and security advisers in Washington on April 12. (Source: AP) |
On April 12, the US and Philippine Defense Ministers, Foreign Ministers, and security advisors met in Washington, focusing on the situation in the East Sea.
The meeting took place a day after the US-Japan-Philippines trilateral summit at the White House.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo accused China of escalating tensions in the South China Sea, and hoped that a meeting with US officials would allow Washington and Manila to better coordinate their responses on the diplomatic, defense and security fronts 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 "ironclad".
"We are working closely with our colleagues at the Philippine Department of National Defense to enhance interoperability between our forces, expand operational coordination, and counter coercive behavior in the South China Sea," Austin stressed.
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 concerns about China's moves in the East 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 complicated after incidents of ship collisions and water cannon firing.
(according to Reuters)
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