US warns it will defend Philippines in South China Sea | World News,The Indian Express

The new Philippines government has a renewed focus on the South China Sea territorial dispute.

The United States has warned it will defend the Philippines against any attack on its ships or aircraft in the South China Sea.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the statement on the sixth anniversary of a 2016 decision by an international arbitration tribunal that largely ruled in favour of the Philippines over the disputed maritime border. China did not participate in the arbitration.

“We re-affirm that an armed attack on Philippine armed forces … would invoke US mutual defense commitments,” Blinken said in a statement on Tuesday. The mutual defense commitments stem from a 1951 treaty between the allies.

“We call again on the People’s Republic of China to abide by its obligations under international law and cease its provocative behaviour,” he added.

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https://indianexpress.com/article/world/us-warns-it-will-defend-philippines-south-china-sea-8028547/

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