Kamala Harris Reaffirms US Commitment to Philippines Amid China’s Aggression in the South China Sea
Outgoing United States Vice President Kamala Harris has underscored the importance of reaffirming the US commitment to defend the Philippines in the face of China’s continued aggression in the West Philippine Sea. This message was delivered during a telephone call with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday evening.
“Indeed, adn I will tell you from my first visit to Manila and our first conversation, it is indeed extremely significant to me and to the United States that we reaffirm the commitment to the defense of the Philippines including the South China Sea,” Harris stated in a press release issued by the Presidential Communications Office.The White House, in a separate readout, emphasized that Harris affirmed the importance of defending international rules and norms in the South China Sea against provocations from Beijing. She noted that the US must stand with the Philippines in the face of such challenges, highlighting the enduring nature of its defense commitments to the archipelago nation.
Harris also recalled her historic visit to the Philippines,especially her trip to Palawan in November 2022. She described this trip as a pivotal moment that underscored “the vulnerability in the region.” According to the Vice President, this visit strengthened US President Joe Biden’s resolve to support the philippines in matters of security and prosperity.
“I know there is bipartisan support within the United States Congress and within the US for the strength of this relationship and the enduring nature of it in terms of security, but again prosperity and to your point of people-to-people ties,” Harris added.
President Marcos, for his part, expressed gratitude to Harris and highlighted the robust and productive partnership between the Philippines and the US.
“Madame Vice President, before I came to this call I was going through all of the things that we had discussed in the past couple of years. And it is remarkable how much work we have been able to do and how much it has progressed and developed the relationship between our two countries.Already very strong relationship but evolving and evolving for the modern challenges that we face, both for us and the South China Sea and for the united States around the world,” Marcos said.He further noted, “As I told President Biden when I spoke to him, I said that, I remember… just before we signed the trilateral agreement in Washington, that, I said to President Biden that this will change the dynamic of the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific. and it certainly has done that.”
the leaders also discussed trilateral cooperation with Japan as a key pillar of regional security, which Harris helped accelerate with the first leader-level trilateral meeting in Jakarta in September 2023.
Key Points from the call
| Topic | Details |
| US Commitment to Philippines | Harris reaffirmed the US’s defense commitment,including the South China Sea. |
| China’s Provocations | Harris emphasized standing with the Philippines against Beijing’s provocations. |
| Historic Visit to Palawan | Harris’ 2022 visit highlighted regional vulnerability and strengthened US resolve.|
| Trilateral Cooperation | Japan’s role in regional security was discussed, with a focus on the Jakarta meeting. |
This conversation between Harris and Marcos not only reaffirmed the enduring partnership between the US and the philippines but also highlighted the evolving strategies to address modern challenges in the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific region.
—VAL, GMA Integrated News
Kamala Harris Reaffirms US Commitment to Philippines Amid China’s Aggression in the south China sea
Table of Contents
In a recent telephone call between US Vice President Kamala Harris and Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the United States reaffirmed its commitment to defend the Philippines against China’s growing aggression in the South China Sea. This conversation highlighted the enduring partnership between the two nations and the evolving strategies to address modern challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. To delve deeper into the implications of this call, we spoke with Dr. Elena santos, a geopolitical expert specializing in US-Philippines relations and regional security in Southeast Asia.
US Commitment to the Philippines
Senior Editor: Dr. Santos, Vice President Harris emphasized the US commitment to the Philippines, especially in the South China Sea. How notable is this reaffirmation in the current geopolitical climate?
Dr. Santos: This reaffirmation is incredibly significant.The South China Sea remains a flashpoint in the region,and China’s aggressive actions,such as militarizing disputed islands and harassing Philippine vessels,have escalated tensions. By reiterating its commitment, the US is sending a clear message to both the Philippines and china that it stands by its ally and is prepared to uphold international law and norms in the region.
China’s Provocations and Regional stability
Senior Editor: Harris also mentioned standing with the Philippines against Beijing’s provocations. How do you see this stance impacting regional stability?
Dr. Santos: China’s provocations have been a destabilizing force in the region, and the US’s firm stance is crucial in maintaining a balance of power.By standing with the Philippines, the US is not only supporting a key ally but also reinforcing the rules-based international order. This could deter further aggressive actions by China and encourage other nations in the region to align more closely with the US and its partners.
Harris’ Historic Visit to Palawan
Senior editor: Vice President Harris recalled her 2022 visit to Palawan, describing it as a pivotal moment. What was the meaning of that visit?
Dr. Santos: Harris’ visit to Palawan was symbolic and strategic. Palawan is geographically close to the disputed areas in the South China Sea, and her presence there underscored the US’s commitment to the region’s security. It also highlighted the vulnerability of the philippines and other Southeast Asian nations to Chinese aggression. This visit likely strengthened the resolve within the Biden management to support the Philippines more robustly.
Trilateral Cooperation with Japan
Senior Editor: The leaders also discussed trilateral cooperation with Japan. how does Japan’s involvement enhance regional security?
Dr. Santos: japan plays a critical role in regional security, particularly as a counterbalance to China’s influence. The trilateral cooperation between the US, Philippines, and Japan creates a stronger, more unified front in addressing challenges in the South China Sea and the broader Indo-Pacific region. The Jakarta meeting in September 2023 was a key step in formalizing this partnership, and it signals a more coordinated approach to maintaining stability and security in the region.
Enduring US-Philippines Partnership
Senior Editor: President Marcos described the US-Philippines relationship as “evolving for modern challenges.” What does this evolution look like, and how does it benefit both nations?
Dr. Santos: The US-Philippines relationship has evolved from a customary military alliance to a more complete partnership that includes economic cooperation, cybersecurity, and disaster response. This evolution allows both nations to address not only traditional security threats but also emerging challenges like climate change and digital security. For the Philippines,it means greater support in defending its sovereignty and boosting its economy. For the US, it strengthens its strategic presence in a region critical to global trade and security.
