Global Courant 2023-04-21 09:23:38
MANILA — U.S. President Joe Biden welcomes Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on May 1 at the White House, meeting against the backdrop of heightened tensions with China.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the two leaders will discuss their countries’ efforts to uphold international law and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific where Beijing exerts its influence.
They will explore opportunities to deepen economic ties and address issues such as the clean energy transition, climate change and human rights.
“During the visit, President Biden will reaffirm the ironclad commitment of the United States to the defense of the Philippines, and leaders will discuss efforts to strengthen the long-standing alliance between the US and the Philippines,” added Ms. Jean-Pierre please.
The two leaders first met in September 2022 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Mr Marcos reported China’s increasing military aggression in the South China Sea. Manila and Beijing have competing claims over the disputed waterway.
The White House announcement came amid China’s dismay at the Marcos administration giving the US access to four additional military bases under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), three of which are in two northern Philippine provinces just hundreds miles from Taiwan.
The agreement, forged in 2014, allows the US to rotate troops, deploy equipment and conduct joint exercises with their Philippine counterparts at nine mutually agreed-upon military bases in the Philippines.
Philippine and US armed forces are also currently holding their largest war games to date, aiming to highlight their naval defense capabilities. The joint exercise will run until April 28.
The White House press release was released on the same day that China’s State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang arrives in Manila to meet Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo.
Experts see the Edca expansion as a means for the US and the Philippines to deter China’s growing military aggression in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea.
While the Philippines does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, Manila would be caught in the crossfire if tensions escalated between Taipei and Beijing.
Manila has said it will not interfere in China’s internal affairs and will not be used by a third party to further their cause.
Chinese ambassador Huang Xilian was criticized last week for telling the Philippines that if it really cares about the safety of Filipino workers in Taiwan, it should “resist Taiwan’s independence” rather than elevate tensions in the region. wake up by expanding the Edca.
