Biden Promises to Defend the Philippines and Japan
President Marcos has reversed his predecessor’s pro-China policy
Joe Biden has promised to defend America’s treaty allies Japan and the Philippines from foreign aggression. The US president made the remarks while hosting Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida and Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr at the White House. Thursday’s meeting was the first trilateral summit between the US, Japan and the Philippines. The leaders expressed concerns at China’s « dangerous and aggressive » behaviour in the South China Sea. Manila has emerged as a key bulwark against Chinese expansionism in the region under president Marcos. What explains the Philippine president’s pro-US policy? How has China reacted to this new triad of Japan, US and the Philippines? Palki Sharma tells you.
Signs of diplomatic friction are emerging after a first-of-its-kind trilateral summit was held among the leaders of the US, Japan and the Philippines in Washington. Beijing has since summoned its Philippine ambassador and a Japanese diplomat to make solemn representations after their leaders criticised China’s moves in the South China Sea. The Chinese foreign ministry has defended its actions as lawful, saying it firmly opposes nations manipulating what it called « bloc politics » and behaviour that provokes opposition.
TANIKO Madagascar 