Secretary of Defense Austin of the United States met with Defense Minister Lorenzana of the Philippines and confirmed that they would promote defense cooperation between the two countries, such as strengthening cooperation at sea, with China in mind as it strengthens its marine expansion into the South China Sea.
Secretary of Defense Austin met with the Philippine Defense Minister Lorenzana, who was visiting the United States, at the Pentagon on the 18th.
According to the announcement by the United States, the talks agreed that it is important to secure peace and stability in the South China Sea, keeping in mind that China is strengthening its marine expansion, strengthening cooperation at sea and improving information sharing, etc. It is said that it has confirmed that it will proceed with defense cooperation between the two countries.
Austin also reiterated that the Mutual Defense Treaty, which sets out US defense obligations against the Philippines, applies to Philippine troops, public vessels, and aircraft over the South China Sea.
The largest joint military exercise ever took place between the United States and the Philippines from late last month to early this month, after which China's President Xi Jinping held a telephone conversation with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, saying, "Regional security is military. It cannot be achieved by strengthening the alliance, "he said, restraining the Philippines' movement toward the United States.
By reaffirming the strengthening of defense cooperation with the Philippines, the United States seems to have aimed to appeal the unity of the two countries with these remarks by China in mind.