Standing Up to China, Philippine Leader Courts New Network of Partners
New York TimesMar 05
Blinken Reaffirms 'Ironclad' Support for the Philippines
Image copyright: Francis R. Malasig/Pool/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed Washington's "ironclad" security commitments to the Philippines during a visit to the country on Tuesday amid mounting tensions between Manila and Beijing over disputed areas of the South China Sea.
Under their 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, the US is bound to defend the Southeast Asian nation if Philippine forces, vessels, or aircraft ever come under an armed attack anywhere in the South China Sea.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
As China grows aggressive in the South China Sea and has consistently harassed Philippine vessels, it's crucial that freedom-loving countries stand together to protect a free and open Indo-Pacific. Hopefully, bolstered security ties will help deter further aggressive actions and make Beijing understand that all nations benefit from peace in the region.
Establishment-critical narrative
This statement reasserts that Washington sees the Philippines as both a base and a proxy to create geopolitical troubles in the South China Sea and bring regional strategic confrontation to a level unmatched since the end of the Cold War. Emboldened by America's support, Manila has illegally intruded into Chinese waters and challenged Beijing's historic rights.