President Joe Biden reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to Japan and the Philippines during a meeting with their respective leaders on Thursday. In light of escalating tensions with Beijing, the three leaders collectively condemned China’s “dangerous and aggressive” behaviour.
The trilateral partnership between the US, Japan, and the Philippines follows the establishment of alliances in the Indo-Pacific region. These alliances include the Quad, which involves India, the US, Australia, and Japan, as well as AUKUS, which consists of Australia, the US, and the UK. These partnerships have been formed in response to growing apprehensions regarding China’s military activities in the area.
The dispute between the Philippines and China has centred around the Second Thomas Shoal, located around 200 kilometres away from the shores of Palawan, Philippines. During the 1990s, the Philippines deliberately ran aground an old navy transport ship from World War II on the shoal to assert its ownership. Today, the ship remains mostly in ruins and is occupied by Filipino marines who are stationed there on a rotational basis.
China maintains its claim of sovereignty over the shoal, situated in the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, as part of its wider assertions in the South China Sea, despite an international arbitration decision. Tensions have escalated as Chinese Coast Guard vessels have used water cannons to obstruct Philippine efforts to resupply their forces on the ship, leading to injuries and damage to Filipino sailors and vessels.
The meeting held on Thursday highlights the continuous endeavours of the administration to tackle Chinese aggression. A high-ranking administration official expressed profound apprehension regarding China’s activities in the South China Sea and emphasized, at the outset of the meeting, the White House’s significant concerns regarding China’s actions in that region.
Japan has become a central figure in President Biden’s endeavours to enhance alliances in the Indo-Pacific region. Prime Minister Kishida has been regarded as a collaborative ally, as evidenced by Japan’s substantial adaptations to its defense strategy in recent times. Moreover, Japan has continuously extended its assistance to Ukraine following Russia’s invasion, showcasing its dedication to global security. Kishida has made a commitment to raise defense expenditure to 2 percent of GDP by 2037 and has reinforced Japan’s counterattack capabilities through the acquisition of American Tomahawk missiles.
The White House is anticipated to enhance the military capabilities of the Filipino armed forces through a fresh infrastructure investment, resembling the one announced by the US in India prior to the G20. In preparation for the summit, the US, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines conducted maritime military drills near the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Philippines, following reports of alleged “harassment” by Chinese vessels in the South China Sea.
