November 21, 2023
1 min read

Joint patrols with US underway in South China Sea, says Marcos

The Philippine leader’s announcement comes amid a rapid strengthening of ties this year between the two defense treaty allies…reports Asian Lite News

Joint maritime and air patrols in the South China Sea between the Philippines and the United States military were launched on Tuesday, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said, describing it as a “significant initiative.”

The Philippine leader’s announcement comes amid a rapid strengthening of ties this year between the two defense treaty allies, including a decision to almost double the number of Philippine bases accessible to the US military.

“This significant initiative is a testament to our commitment to bolster the interoperability of our military forces in conducting maritime and air patrols,” Marcos said on social media platform X.

The announcement comes a day after Marcos told a forum in Hawaii the situation in the South China Sea had become more “dire than it was before,” saying the Chinese military have inched closer to Philippine coastline.

China claims most of the South China Sea through a “nine-dash line” that stretches as far as 1,500km (900 miles) south of its mainland, cutting into the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of rival claimants such as Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

Marcos had rekindled Manila’s ties with Washington after its testy relationship with a predecessor who had pivoted closer to China, despite Beijing developing military installations on manmade islands within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

Relations with China have soared, with repeated standoffs between Chinese and Filipino vessels in waters claimed by both countries, prompting heated rhetoric between them and concerns of an escalation.

ALSO READ: Xi, Macron discuss Gaza war in phone call

Previous Story

Xi, Macron discuss Gaza war in phone call

Next Story

India’s Film Market Among World’s Top Five

Latest from -Top News

American missionary abducted in Niger

The US Embassy in Niamey issued a security alert warning that American citizens “remain at a heightened risk of kidnapping throughout Niger, including in the capital city”…reports Asian Lite News An American

Ouattara predicted to win fourth term

Around 8.7 million Ivorians were registered to vote, though analysts had predicted a lower turnout compared with the last two elections, when participation slightly exceeded 50%…reports Asian Lite News Votes were being

Russia Fires at EU

Zakharova called the sanctions package “illegal” and “self-destructive”, while accusing Brussels of isolating itself on the international stage…reports Asian Lite News Russia’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has slammed the European Union’s

Mamdani Hits Back at Racism

Mamdani criticised rivals for spreading “hatred,” saying their Islamophobia harms him and nearly one million Muslims in New York….reports Asian Lite News New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani on Friday delivered
Go toTop

Don't Miss

US Congress to provide $600 mn weapons assistance to Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday authorised “a special military

SPECIAL: Covid Drains Xi’s Centenary Spirits

China is traditionally known as a country that keeps a