Secretary of State Blinken Reaffirms US Commitment to Defend Philippines Amidst South China Sea Tensions

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated the US's commitment to defend the Philippines during his meetings with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo on Tuesday. The US is seeking to strengthen ties with the Philippines in response to increasing tensions in the South China Sea, where Chinese coast guard and maritime militia units have clashed with Filipino boats. In a recent incident two weeks prior, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel used a water cannon against a Philippine boat. Blinken also met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to discuss shared concerns over Chinese actions in the region.