Blinken lauds 'extraordinary' expansion of defense ties with the Philippines amid China tensions
Secretary of State Antony Blinken hailed the strengthening of defense ties with the Philippines as “extraordinary,” saying they would only grow further.
MANILA, the Philippines — Secretary of State Antony Blinken hailed on Tuesday a recent strengthening of defense ties with the Philippines as “extraordinary,” saying they would only grow further, though Washington’s expanding alliances were not aimed at China.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Philippines' Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo, hold a joint press conference in Manila on March 19, 2024.Evelyn Hockstein / APSpeaking during a visit to the Philippines, Blinken said China’s actions in the South China Sea had triggered a wider international reaction, and the United States was engaged in intense diplomacy to reaffirm international law.
“We have a shared concern about (China’s) actions that threaten our common vision for a free open Indo-Pacific, including in the South China Sea and in the Philippines exclusive economic zone,” Blinken told a news conference alongside his Philippine counterpart.
Ties between the Philippines and China have soured amid repeated spats over disputed features in the Philippine’s exclusive economic zone, and Manila has accused China’s coast guard of a policy of aggression.
Beijing, which claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, has maintained that Philippine vessels are intruding in its territory.
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