Biden hosts Japanese, Philippine leaders to discuss China’s aggression
U.S. President Joe Biden hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House on Thursday, aiming to send China a clear message that it must halt its aggressive behavior in the South China Sea.
"United States defense commitments to Japan and to the Philippines are ironclad," Biden said at the trilateral summit.
There has been rising tension between Manila and Beijing. In recent weeks, Chinese Coast Guard ships have taken provocative actions to block resupply missions for Philippine soldiers stationed on the Second Thomas Shoal, who guard Manila's sovereignty claims over the Spratly Islands.
"Facing the complex challenges of our time requires concerted efforts on everyone's part, a dedication to a common purpose and an unwavering commitment to the rules-based international order," Marcos said, couching his words in diplomatic terms often used to target Beijing.
"Multilayered cooperation between allies and like-minded countries is essential if we are to maintain and bolster a free and open international order based on the rule of law," Kishida reiterated.
Related articles
Ricky Stenhouse punching Kyle Busch could lead to suspension
NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. (AP) — Ricky Stenhouse Jr. threw a right hook at Kyle Busch, and suddenly, an2024-05-21China to relax foreign investment rules amid further opening up
Aerial photo taken on April 19, 2017 shows the pilot free trade zone in Wuhan City, capital of centr2024-05-21Aswan Forum kicks off in Egypt with focus on multidimensional crises in Africa
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry addresses the third edition of the Aswan Forum for Sustainab2024-05-21Olives link northwest China with world
Photo taken on June 22, 2021 shows a well-growing variety of olive tree, which was introduced from I2024-05-21The fightback begins: Boss of London's Queen Mary University tells pro
A university boss has been praised after telling a pro-Gaza student mob he will not meet them until2024-05-21China adopts targeted measures to bolster foreign trade growth
Photo taken on May 1, 2022 shows a container vessel docking at the Qianwan Container Terminal in Qin2024-05-21
atest comment