Blinken in Manila as South China Sea tensions rise

19 March 2024 12:17

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in the Philippines, a key ally of Washington, amid heightened regional tensions with China.

Mr Blinken will discuss trade and will reiterate America's "ironclad" security commitments to the country, BBC reports quoting a senior State Department official.

Friction has grown between Manila and Beijing in recent months over competing claims in the South China Sea.

US officials say the relationship will "inevitably" be part of discussions.

The visit is also likely to be seen as bolstering American support for Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr who has tilted towards Washington, unlike his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte, who pushed ties with Beijing.

As Mr Blinken's plane descended towards the capital, Manila, the lights of the city's flourishing high-rise blocks were reflected across the bay. The Philippines became Southeast Asia's fastest-growing economy last year, but entrenched inequality in a country which has failed to grapple with long-standing accusations of government cronyism has played into its fractious politics.

The Philippines remains a key strategic hub for the US, especially because of its position in an evolving region, where China has emerged as a rival to American power and influence.

The waters of Manila Bay spread out into the South China Sea, in which the Philippines is one of several Asian nations caught in disputes with Beijing over territory, trade routes and maritime zones.

While the disputes are not new, tense encounters between the Philippine and Chinese Coast Guard have increased in recent months, raising fears of a conflict. Collisions between the two countries' vessels have been reported and the Chinese fired water at Philippine vessels earlier this month.

The US views China's maritime activity as part of a campaign of harassment against its neighbours. Washington has a long-standing defence treaty with the Philippines and has previously said any armed attack on Philippine vessels "would invoke U.S. mutual defense commitments".

In 2014, Washington also signed a defence agreement with Manila allowing the US to fund development of Philippine military bases and deploy American troops on a rotational basis. And in 2023 the US secured access to four more bases in a crucial deal that signalled closer ties between the two countries.

Caliber.Az

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