MANILA – The United States of America and Australia released a joint statement strongly opposing what it calls “destabilizing actions” in the South China Sea.
This is after a Chinese Coast guard and militia vessels collided with Philippine vessels undertaking a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal last Sunday, 22 October.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in Washington, D.C. for his official visit and to inaugurate a “new era” of U.S.-Australia strategic cooperation with U.S. President Joseph Biden.
In a joint statement issued by the White House on Thursday, Biden and Albanese conveyed their “strong opposition” to what they called “destabilizing actions” in the South China Sea, such as unsafe encounters at sea and in the air, the militarization of disputed features, the dangerous use of coast guard vessels and maritime militia, including “to interfere” with routine Philippines maritime operations around Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal), and efforts to disrupt other countries’ offshore resource exploitation.
Both leaders recognize that the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award is final and legally binding on the parties in that proceeding and is concerned with what it calls China’s “excessive maritime claims” that are inconsistent with international law.
The U.S. and Australia are also concerned with “unilateral actions” that may raise tensions and increase the risk of miscalculation in the region.
In a joint press conference held at the Rose Garden in the White House, Biden reiterated the “United States’ defense agreement to the Philippines is ironclad”.
Biden stressed that “any attack on the Filipino aircraft, vessels or armed forces will invoke – our Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines.”
Both countries resolved to work with partners to support regional maritime security and uphold international law.
The U.S. and Australia are defense partners of the Philippines and together with Japan earlier held the first Quadrilateral Defense Chief Talks in Singapore, where U.S. Defense Secretary Llyod Austin, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, former Philippine Defense Chief Carlito Galvez and Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada met last June.
