There's growing concern over China's increasing assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea and aggression toward Taiwan.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III talks beside his Philippine counterpart, Carlito Galvez Jr. at a joint press conference in Manila, Philippines. Photo: Joeal Calupitan - Pool/Getty Images
The United States said on Thursday it will boost its military presence in the Philippines after Manila agreed to give the U.S. access to four additional bases as it seeks to counter China's aggression in the region.The announcement comes amid growing concern over China's increasing assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea and aggression toward Taiwan.The agreement, announced during U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's visit to the Philippines, will add to the five sites the U.
The two countries added that access to the four new sites will "allow more rapid support for humanitarian and climate-related disasters in the Philippines, and respond to other shared challenges." Austin stressed that the sites will not be permanent, saying during a press conference that "it is not about permanent basing, but it is a big deal. It’s a really big deal," per theSpeaking before his meeting with Austin, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said his country is facing a “terribly complex situation, something we can only navigate properly with help from our partners and allies," according to the Washington Post.
“Countries in the region should remain vigilant against this and avoid being coerced and used by the United States.”Thursday's announcement also signifies a continued thawing of U.S.-Philippines relations that were strained under former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, whose early pro-China and anti-U.S. stance
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Philippines grant US greater military access as tensions with China mountThe Philippines have granted the U.S. greater military access by expanding its military presence to bolster defenses against China's mounting aggression in the region.
Read more »
US military seeks to expand access to bases in Philippines with eye toward China | CNN PoliticsThe US military is seeking to expand its access to bases in the Philippines with an eye toward China, according to several US defense officials, as part of an ongoing shift in force posture in the Indo-Pacific region.
Read more »
Philippines grants U.S. greater access to bases amid China concernsThe Philippines has granted the United States expanded access to its military bases, the countries said on Thursday, amid mounting concern over China's increasing assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea and tensions over self-ruled Taiwan.
Read more »
U.S. expands military presence in the Philippines as China looms in regionThe agreement gives American forces access to four more bases in “strategic areas of the country,” a U.S. treaty ally facing territorial disputes with Beijing in the South China Sea.
Read more »
US, Philippines announce new agreement to ramp up military presence amid China-Taiwan tensionsDefense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced a new agreement to house American troops and military supplies in the Pacific.
Read more »