All articles tagged with #us philippines alliance
Recent incidents in the South China Sea, including vessel collisions and military confrontations, highlight the region's escalating tensions driven by China's naval expansion and aggressive actions, with the US and Philippines strengthening their military cooperation to deter Chinese assertiveness.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reaffirmed their strong alliance and commitment to mutual defense at the Pentagon, emphasizing joint military exercises like Balikatan, regional security concerns in the Indo-Pacific, and ongoing efforts to modernize their militaries to ensure peace and stability in the region.
Chinese coast guard and militia vessels collided with Philippine coast guard ships and a military-run supply boat near the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. The Philippines condemned the incidents as dangerous, irresponsible, and illegal actions that violated its sovereignty. The United States immediately condemned the disruptions and expressed support for the Philippines. Near-collisions have occurred frequently in the area, but this is the first time Philippine vessels have reported being hit by Chinese ships. The territorial disputes in the South China Sea involving China, the Philippines, and other countries have become a potential flashpoint and a delicate fault line in U.S.-China rivalry in the region.
Chinese coast guard and militia vessels collided with Philippine coast guard ship and military-run supply boat near the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. The Philippine government condemned the incidents as a violation of sovereignty, while the US immediately condemned China's actions and expressed support for the Philippines. Near-collisions have occurred frequently in the area, but this is the first reported incident of Chinese ships hitting Philippine vessels. The territorial disputes in the South China Sea involving China, the Philippines, and other countries have become a potential flashpoint and a delicate fault line in US-China rivalry in the region.
The US and the Philippines have agreed to modernize and strengthen their alliance, with Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III reiterating the US' ironclad commitment to the Philippines under the Mutual Defense Treaty. The two nations are deepening coordination and interoperability at all levels, with discussions on expanding operational cooperation in the maritime domain, including the South China Sea. The two defense leaders also discussed new bilateral defense guidelines to address conventional and nonconventional threats.