US President Joe Biden once again guaranteed that the United States would invoke the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and is ready to defend the Philippines in case of any attacks, particularly in the South China Sea.
“As I’ve said before, any attack on Philippine aircraft, vessels, or Armed Forces in the South China Sea would invoke our Mutual Defense Treaty,” said U.S. President Joe Biden.
The US leader’s statement coincided with a trilateral summit with President Bongbong Marcos and Japan Prime Minister Kishida Fumio in Washington D.C.
The Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Philippines has been in place for more than 70 years.
Under this agreement, both nations agree to unite to provide assistance and protection or defense against any armed attacks.
On the other hand, the Chinese Embassy rebutted the US statement, saying that Washington is not a party to the South China Sea issue and is not in a position to interfere in issues between China and the Philippines.
“The US is not a party to the South China Sea issue and is not in the position of interfering in issues between China and the Philippines,” according to Chinese Embassy
Moreover, the tensions in the South China Sea would not have occurred without the US egging on the Philippines.
“The recent tension in the South China Sea would not have occurred without the US egging on the Philippines,” Chinese Embassy added.
The Embassy also said that China is determined to uphold its sovereignty over its territory and its rights and interests in maritime affairs.
According to the Chinese embassy, the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the US “will not move” China a bit from their “will and resolve.”
Meanwhile, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo had a bilateral meeting in Washington with his Japanese counterpart, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Minister Kamikawa Yoko.
Manalo said they discussed defense and security cooperation as well as regional issues such as the West Philippine Sea, particularly the recent tensions at Ayungin Shoal.
U.S., Japan pledge support for Philippines’ economic development
It is worth noting that the Philippines, the United States, and Japan engaged in a trilateral summit in Washington DC, marking the first-ever meeting among the three countries.
In a joint statement, the three leaders announced the conduct of a Presidential Trade and Investment Mission to the Philippines and over 1 billion dollars in investments from the US private sector to support the Philippines’ innovation economy and clean energy transition.
They also expressed support for the continued development of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) to promote resilience, sustainability, inclusiveness, economic growth, fairness, and competitiveness for economies and the broader region.
Interconnectivity infra projects in Subic, Clark, Manila, and Batangas discussed in Trilateral Economic Ministers Meeting
Furthermore, a Trilateral Economic Ministers Meeting was also held in Washington DC, where Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual met with his counterparts, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Minister Ken Saito.
Pascual presented three major projects in which Japanese and US companies could participate.
These include the Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas Railway system, the expansion of Clark International Airport, and the Clark National Food Hub.
These projects are designed to boost the Luzon Economic Corridor.
