Background
This pledge was made during the first joint summit hosted by Biden with Manila and Tokyo, amid escalating tensions with Beijing. The US President described the defense commitments to Japan and the Philippines as ‘ironclad’. This summit follows a series of confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the disputed waterway, raising fears of a potential conflict.
The Pledge
Biden’s pledge came after a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and an upgrade of their alliance, which drew strong condemnation from the Chinese government. Biden stated, “Any attack on Philippine aircraft, vessels or armed forces in the South China Sea would invoke our mutual defense treaty.â€
China’s Claim
China claims almost the entirety of the South China Sea, brushing aside competing claims from several Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines. The so-called “gray-zone†harassment by China has included shining military-grade lasers at the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), firing water cannons at vessels, and ramming into Philippine ships running resupply missions near the Second Thomas Shoal, which both Manila and Beijing claim.
Philippines’ Stand
In 1999, Manila intentionally ran a second world war-era ship aground on the shoal, establishing a permanent military presence there. However, Beijing accused the Philippines of violating Chinese sovereignty in the South China Sea.
China’s Response: Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, stated that China was committed to managing the situation at Ren’ai Jiao with the Philippines through dialogue and consultation. However, she accused Manila of ignoring a “gentleman’s agreement†made with the previous president, Rodrigo Duterte.
Duterte’s Statement
Duterte, in an interview with the Chinese state media outlet, the Global Times, expressed his belief that the US was directing the new Philippines government. He stated, “When I was president of the Philippines, there was no quarrel in the South China Sea, we were able to return to normal (relations).â€
Increasing Tensions
Chinese coast guard ships also regularly approach disputed Japanese-controlled East China Sea islands near Taiwan, and the increasing tensions have prompted Biden to boost alliances in the region.
The Historic Meeting
As they met around a horseshoe-shaped wooden table in the grand East Room of the US presidential residence, the US, Japanese, and Philippine leaders hailed the meeting as “historic.†They painted their alliance as a bedrock of peace and democracy in the Asia-Pacific region in contrast to authoritarian Beijing.
Conclusion
President Marcos, seen as closer to Washington than his more China-leaning predecessor Rodrigo Duterte, said they shared an “unwavering commitment to the rules-based international order.†This commitment is likely to shape the future of the Asia-Pacific region.
