31 Hulio 2024, Miyerkules
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Blinken, Austin hold defense talks with Ph counterparts
By Nidz Godino
"We are truly grateful for this partnership," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.at the presidential palace US foreign and defense ministers met their Philippine counterparts in Manila on Tuesday, with Beijing's growing assertiveness in South China Sea likely to dominate talks.
Series of escalating confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels in disputed waterway have raised concern Washington could be dragged into conflict due to its mutual defense treaty with Manila.
Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin are in Asia to strengthen latticework of regional alliances as Washington counters China's growing military and diplomatic influence.
Blinken and Austin kicked off their Manila leg with meeting with President Marcos, before holding "2+2" talks with their Philippine counterparts Enrique Manalo and Gilberto Teodoro.
It marks first time Philippines has hosted "2+2" talks, Blinken said were evidence of " steady drum beat, very high level of engagements between our countries".
Philippines' proximity to hotly contested South China Sea, as well as self-ruled Taiwan, would make it key partner for United States if conflict were to break out.
Beijing claims almost entire waterway, despite international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis, and considers democratic Taiwan to be part of its territory.
Under their mutual defense treaty, Philippines and United States are required to come to the other's defense in case of "armed attack" against vessels, aircraft, military and coast guard anywhere in Pacific theatre, Washington says includes South China Sea.
Beijing's actions in strategic waterway have been high on agenda for Blinken's Asia-Pacific trip, included foreign ministers meeting of Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Laos and "2+2" talks in Japan.
Filipino sailor lost thumb in June 17 confrontation near flashpoint Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands.
Chinese coast guard members wielding knives, sticks and axe foiled Philippine Navy attempt to resupply Filipino troops stationed on crumbling ship.
Two sides subsequently agreed to "provisional arrangement" for delivery of food and water to Sierra Madre, deliberately grounded in 1999 to assert Manila's claims to the area.
Philippines had carried out resupply mission on Saturday without "untoward incident".
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