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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin are traveling to Japan and the Philippines to reinforce alliances and address security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region.
What the US is saying: State Department spokesman Matthew Miller stated that the visit aims to “underscore the United States’ enduring commitment to deepening and expanding ties to unprecedented levels and creating mutually reinforcing relationships to tackle today’s greatest challenges.” A Pentagon official echoed this sentiment, saying, “The Secretary’s message to the region is clear: America is fully committed to the Indo-Pacific.”
What’s on the agenda: In Japan, Blinken and Austin will participate in a Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue with Japanese officials to strengthen military and diplomatic relations. In the Philippines, they will meet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to discuss bilateral cooperation and address security concerns, particularly those related to the South China Sea.
Digging Deeper on the Philippines: The arrival of Blinken and Austin in the Philippines comes after China and the Philippines agreed to establish new lines of communication in response to recent maritime incidents over disputed territory. These incidents, involving Chinese ships using water cannons and executing dangerous maneuvers against Philippine vessels near the Second Thomas Shoal, have resulted in minor collisions and injuries, heightening regional tensions.
How China sees things:
China sees the United States’ involvement in the South China Sea, particularly its support for the Philippines, as a direct challenge and threat to its sovereignty. Chinese officials have claimed that the US military presence and alliances in the Indo-Pacific destabilize the region. They have gone so far as to accuse the United States of trying to create a “NATO” in the Indo-Pacific.
How the United States sees things: The United States views China’s actions in the South China Sea, particularly around the Philippines, as aggressive and destabilizing, threatening regional peace and the international rules-based order. The US has consistently condemned China’s maritime actions in the region, especially against the Philippines. The US has gone so far as to warn China that under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, it would be obligated to defend the Philippines if they were attacked.
