KUALA LUMPUR: US President Joe Biden in a meeting with the Philippines President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr discussed matters including maritime security in the South China Sea.
In a press release, White House said Biden met Marcos at the White House on Thursday.
“President Biden and President Marcos underscored their commitment to international law in South China Sea.
"President Biden reinforced the ironclad US alliance commitment to the Philippines under the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, which extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft to include those of its Coast Guard - in the Pacific, including anywhere in the South China Sea,” the press release said.
Biden, Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida were in Washington for a first-of-its-kind trilateral summit on Thursday (April 11).
The press release said the two presidents welcomed the unprecedented momentum in US-Philippines relations.
The two presidents also reviewed new initiatives to enhance economic and energy security; bolster maritime cooperation; invest in critical infrastructure; reinforce their shared commitment to promote democracy, human rights, and labour rights; and deepen people-to-people ties.
Tensions between China and Philippines in the South China Sea heightened following maritime run-ins last month including the use of water cannons and heated verbal exchanges.
