Tensions between China and one of the United States’s top allies in the Indo-Pacific have been dangerously simmering for months.
The Philippines this week once again issued a warning about Beijing’s increasingly hostile behaviour against its forces, branding it an “existential” threat.
The two nations have been at loggerheads for decades over control of the South China Sea despite a 2016 ruling dismissing Beijing’s claims over the area.
Manila’s Defence Secretary Gilbert Teodoro reiterated his government is ready to reach a diplomatic understanding with China – but is also prepared to hit back if necessary.
Mr Teodoro said: “This is an existential issue for us. We do not seek conflict. But we will not back down if what is ours is illegally taken by somebody, especially a bully.”
The Philippines have been raising concerns about Beijing’s increasingly aggressive stance in the area which has resulted in multiple clashes between their respective coast guards.
Speaking to the Financial Times, Mr Teodoro added: “We need all of these resources within the boundaries provided to us by international law, and we need to stand up for this. If not, these will be chipped away by China.”
The Biden administration has maintained it will support its ally amid growing concerns about China’s plans for both the South China Sea and Taiwan.
President Joe Biden has been strengthening an arc of military alliances in the Indo-Pacific to better counter China, including in any possible confrontation over Taiwan and other Asian flashpoints.
The move has dovetailed with Philippine efforts to shore up its territorial defences amid escalating disputes with Beijing in the South China Sea.
Earlier this week, hundreds of American and Filipino troops concluded a new combat exercise in the northern Philippines that tested their endurance in more than a week of brutal heat and volatile weather.
The large-scale battle drills, which have been held in Hawaii in recent years under the US Army’s Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center, have been introduced in the Philippines this year. There is also a version in Alaska.
China has vehemently opposed the combat exercises and increased deployments of American forces to Asia, including in the Philippines, saying such military presence was endangering regional stability and was designed to contain Beijing.
The Philippine military insisted the military drills didn’t target any country and served to deter aggression.