Biden: US-Philippines ‘ironclad’ partners amid China tension

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Biden: US-Philippines ‘ironclad’ partners amid China tension
By AAMER MADHANI and JIM GOMEZ Associated Press
May 2, 12:25 PM
President Joe Biden shakes hands with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as they meet at the White House, May 1, 2023. (AP/Carolyn Kaster)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden reiterated U.S. commitment to the Philippines’ security and noted the “deep friendship” of the two nations as he hosted Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for White House talks this week as concerns grow about the Chinese navy’s harassment of Philippine vessels in the South China Sea.

Marcos’ visit to Washington comes after the U.S. and the Philippines last week completed their largest war drills ever and as the two countries’ air forces held their first joint fighter jet training in the Philippines since 1990 on Monday. The Philippines this year agreed to give the U.S. access to four more bases on the islands as the U.S. looks to deter China’s increasingly aggressive actions toward Taiwan and in the disputed South China Sea

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