US reaffirms 'ironclad' commitment to Philippines amid Beijing’s actions in South China Sea

The United States reaffirmed its commitment to the Philippines’ security amid China’s actions in the South China Sea, the White House said on Thursday after talks between the two countries’ national security advisers.

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan and his Philippine counterpart, Eduardo Año, on Wednesday ”discussed shared concerns over the People’s Republic of China’s dangerous and escalatory actions against the Philippines’ lawful maritime operations near Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea,” the White House said in a statement.

The territorial disputes, which involve China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan, have long been seen as a flashpoint that could pit the U.S. against China if high seas confrontations escalate into armed conflict. Washington has repeatedly warned that it is obligated to defend the Philippines, its oldest treaty ally in Asia, if Filipino forces are attacked, including in the South China Sea.

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Indonesian forces have also opened fire on Chinese fishing boats in past confrontations in waters off the Natuna islands on the fringes of the South China Sea.