Biden holds talks with the Marcos on South China Sea security
Published on: Friday, April 12, 2024
By: Bernama
Photo by Doug Mills/The New York Times
KUALA LUMPUR: US President Joe Biden in a meeting with the Philippines President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr discussed matters including maritime security in the South China Sea.
In a press release, White House said Biden met Marcos at the White House on Thursday.
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“President Biden and President Marcos underscored their commitment to international law in South China Sea.
"President Biden reinforced the ironclad US alliance commitment to the Philippines under the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, which extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft to include those of its Coast Guard - in the Pacific, including anywhere in the South China Sea,” the press release said.
Biden, Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida were in Washington for a first-of-its-kind trilateral summit on Thursday (April 11).
The press release said the two presidents welcomed the unprecedented momentum in US-Philippines relations.
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The two presidents also reviewed new initiatives to enhance economic and energy security; bolster maritime cooperation; invest in critical infrastructure; reinforce their shared commitment to promote democracy, human rights, and labour rights; and deepen people-to-people ties.
Tensions between China and Philippines in the South China Sea heightened following maritime run-ins last month including the use of water cannons and heated verbal exchanges.
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