U.S. President Joe Biden hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House on Thursday, aiming to send China a clear message that it must halt its aggressive behavior in the South China Sea.
"United States defense commitments to Japan and to the Philippines are ironclad," Biden said at the trilateral summit.
There has been rising tension between Manila and Beijing. In recent weeks, Chinese Coast Guard ships have taken provocative actions to block resupply missions for Philippine soldiers stationed on the Second Thomas Shoal, who guard Manila's sovereignty claims over the Spratly Islands.
"Facing the complex challenges of our time requires concerted efforts on everyone's part, a dedication to a common purpose and an unwavering commitment to the rules-based international order," Marcos said, couching his words in diplomatic terms often used to target Beijing.
"Multilayered cooperation between allies and like-minded countries is essential if we are to maintain and bolster a free and open international order based on the rule of law," Kishida reiterated.
French sports minister calls for sanctions after Monaco player tapes over anti
Naomi Osaka is in a good place mentally. And her clay game is improving as she heads back to Paris
Airman shot by deputy doted on little sister and aimed to buy mom a house, family says
Judge orders community service, fine for North Dakota lawmaker tied to building controversy
Lynn Williams breaks NWSL goal
Will Levis sees the Titans' offseason additions as proof team wants to win now
Sudanese paramilitary forces have carried out ethnic cleansing in Darfur, rights group says
Bucks' Patrick Beverley suspended 4 games without pay for actions in season
Supreme Court rejects an appeal from a Canadian man once held at Guantanamo
California to tap generative AI tools to increase services access, reduce traffic jams
French sports minister calls for sanctions after Monaco player tapes over anti
President Joe Biden cheers the Las Vegas Aces and women's basketball