Philippines Sets 'Red Line' with Beijing Amid South China Sea Tensions

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has warned China that any Filipino soldier killed by a Beijing water cannon would be considered an "act of war," potentially escalating tensions in the South China Sea and involving the U.S. due to its defense treaty with the Philippines. This statement was made at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit, where U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reaffirmed America's commitment to its treaty with the Philippines and emphasized the importance of peaceful dispute resolution in the region.