U.S. to Boost Philippines' Defense Amid South China Sea Tensions

The United States aims to enhance the Philippines' defense capabilities and legal operations in its waters amid ongoing tensions with China in the South China Sea. Top U.S. officials will meet with their Philippine counterparts to discuss increased military support and a security assistance road map.

The United States is set to enhance the defense capabilities of the Philippines to ensure lawful operations in its waters, a senior White House official stated on Wednesday. This development precedes a meeting between defense and foreign ministers from both nations. Daniel Kritenbrink, the senior U.S. diplomat for East Asia, praised a recent agreement between the Philippines and China aimed at easing South China Sea tensions, but stressed the importance of its implementation.

The Philippines, a U.S. ally, and China, a key U.S. rival in the Indo-Pacific, have faced numerous maritime disputes this year. Manila recently announced a 'provisional arrangement' to manage these differences. 'We've welcomed their diplomatic efforts,' Kritenbrink said at the American Enterprise Institute think-tank. 'The focus now is on implementation, and we're watching closely.'

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will visit Asia to reaffirm U.S. support ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential election. They will engage in talks with their Philippine counterparts and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. next Monday and Tuesday.

Mira Rapp-Hooper, senior director for East Asia at the White House National Security Council, indicated that Washington seeks to provide practical support to Manila. 'We're aiming to bolster the Philippines' capabilities to operate lawfully in its waters and address recent challenges,' she stated. Ely Ratner, the senior Pentagon official for the Indo-Pacific, noted plans for unprecedented support to modernize the Philippine armed forces, including discussions on the use of new military sites under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). Key announcements on U.S. support for the Philippines are expected soon, he added.

Three of the new EDCA sites are strategically located near Taiwan, while another is near the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, claimed by China and several other nations, including the Philippines.

(With inputs from agencies.)