While emphasizing the need to approach relations with China with more “realism,” the United States has vowed to help its allies, including the Philippines, in upholding maritime rights. In his speech on the Biden administration’s approach to China on Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US would continue to oppose Beijing’s aggressive and unlawful activities in the South and East China Seas. He cited the water cannon incident by Chinese Coast Guard vessels in forcing a Philippine Navy ship to leave the West Philippine Sea.

Lee-Brago, P. (2022, May 30). US vows to uphold Phl maritime rights. The Philippine Star, pp. 1, 4.