In Washington, U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a trilateral summit aimed at addressing the escalating tensions caused by China's actions in the South China Sea. The leaders announced new joint military efforts and infrastructure spending in the Philippines to counter Beijing's pressure on Manila in the disputed waters.
The gathering at the White House underscored the concerns regarding China's militarization of reclaimed features and its aggressive behavior in the South China Sea. The three countries expressed serious apprehensions about China's actions in the region, emphasizing the need to push back against Beijing's activities that threaten stability and sovereignty in the area. Additionally, the leaders reaffirmed their defense commitments, particularly the mutual defense treaty binding the U.S. and the Philippines, specifying that it would apply to disputes in the South China Sea.