Follow us for updates
© 2020 reportr.world
Read the Story →

U.S. Warns China: Any Attack on Philippines Will Trigger Defense Treaty

Washington's treaty obligation to Manila.
by Agence France Presse
Just now
Photo/s: Maxar Technologies via Agence France-Presse
Shares

WASHINGTON -- The United States on Wednesday warned China against what the Philippines and Taiwan see as increasingly aggressive moves, reminding Beijing of Washington's obligations to its partners.

"An armed attack against the Philippines' armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the Pacific, including in the South China Sea, will trigger our obligations under the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters.

"We share the concerns of our Philippine allies regarding the continued reported massing of PRC maritime militia near the Whitsun Reef," Price said, referring to the People's Republic of China.

More than 200 Chinese boats were first spotted on March 7 at Julian Felipe (Whitsun Reef), around 320 kilometers (200 miles) west of Palawan Island in the contested South China Sea, although many have since scattered across the Spratly Islands.

MORE ON JULIAN FELIPE REEF STANDOFF:

Get Out: DFA Tells China Why it Must Leave Philippine Reef

Continue reading below ↓

Standoff at Sea: Philippines Says Get Out, China Says Reef is Ours

WATCH: Chinese Ships, Illegal Structures on Philippine Reefs

LOOK: Chinese Ships Swarm Philippines' Boomerang-Shaped Reef

China, which claims almost the entirety of the resource-rich sea, has refused weeks of appeals by the Philippines to withdraw the vessels, which Manila says unlawfully entered its exclusive economic zone.

Tensions have also risen with Taiwan, which Beijing claims as part of China, with the self-governing democracy on Wednesday reporting that 15 more of the mainland's planes crossed into the island's air defense zone.

Continue reading below ↓

Price voiced "concern" about the Chinese moves, saying: "The United States maintains the capacity to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security or the social or economic system of the people on Taiwan."

He was using language from the Taiwan Relations Act, under which the United States is obliged to provide the island with the means to defend itself against Beijing.

Continue reading below ↓

President Joe Biden has vowed a robust defense of allies and, in a rare point of continuity with his predecessor Donald Trump, has supported strong pushback against Chinese assertiveness.

Latest Headlines
Read Next
Recent News
Hold the 'celebration,' top aide says.
But there must be a "stringent evaluation" before vaccination.
The news. So what? Subscribe to the newsletter that explains what the news means for you.
The email address you entered is invalid.
Thank you for signing up to On Three, reportr's weekly newsletter delivered to your mailbox three times a week. Only the latest, most useful and most insightful reads.
By signing up to reportr.world newsletter, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.