US President Joe Biden has issued a stern warning to China, stating that the United States will come to the defense of the Philippines in the event of any aggression in the disputed South China Sea.
The statement followed a series of maritime incidents involving Philippine and Chinese vessels in disputed waters.
President Biden emphasized the unwavering nature of America’s commitment to the Philippines, describing it as “ironclad.”
“I want to be clear, I want to be very clear: The US defense commitment to the Philippines is ironclad. The US defense agreement with the Philippines is ironclad,” Biden said.
President Biden’s statement on Wednesday was his strongest since tensions between Beijing and Manila have escalated in recent months. He reaffirmed the enduring strength of the US-Philippine Defense Treaty, a pact established in 1951.
This Mutual Defense Treaty commits the US and the Philippines to mutual protection in the event of armed attack.
Biden made it clear that any aggression against Philippine aircraft, vessels or armed forces would trigger the Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines.
In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning asserted that the United States had no right to interfere in matters between China and the Philippines.
It also stressed that if the US decides to defend the Philippines, it should avoid actions that would threaten China’s sovereignty and maritime interests in the South China Sea.
The Philippines has a significant strategic position as a US ally, given its proximity to potential flashpoints in the Pacific, namely the South China Sea and Taiwan, Klix.ba reports.
