The United States will provide 500 million Dollar in military funding to the Philippines, as announced by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday. This move aims to strengthen the relationship between Washington and Manila amid increasing tensions with China.
"We're now allocating an additional $500 million in foreign military financing to the Philippines to boost security collaboration with our oldest treaty ally in this region," Blinken stated during a joint news conference.
Blinken, accompanied by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, is on an Asia-Pacific tour designed to reinforce alliances in the region, countering Beijing's growing influence.
Describing the funding as a "once in a generation investment," Blinken highlighted its role in modernizing the Philippine armed forces and coast guard.
During their visit, Blinken and Austin met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, who has taken a firm stance against China's actions in the South China Sea. They also held "2+2" talks with Philippine officials Enrique Manalo and Gilberto Teodoro.
This high-level visit comes after a series of confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the disputed South China Sea, raising concerns about potential conflict involving the US due to its defense treaty with Manila.
The new funding is part of a larger $2 billion military financing package approved by the US in April, aimed at modernizing the Philippine military and bolstering its coast guard.
The Philippines' strategic location near the South China Sea and Taiwan positions it as a critical US partner in the event of regional conflict. Despite an international ruling rejecting China's claims over the South China Sea, Beijing continues to assert control over the waterway and views Taiwan as its territory.
Since President Marcos took office in 2022, US-Philippine relations have strengthened, with Marcos expanding an agreement that allows American troops access to nine Philippine military bases. This arrangement permits US forces to rotate through these bases and store defense equipment and supplies, a move that has angered Chinese leaders.
During their meeting on Tuesday, Marcos expressed his satisfaction with the open communication channels with the US, which he said enables Manila to respond effectively to issues, including those in the South China Sea.
Recently, Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi exchanged words over the South China Sea at the ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in Laos. Wang urged the US to avoid "fanning the flames" and "stirring up trouble," highlighting the ongoing tensions in China-US relations.
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