President Biden in talks with Philippines leader as US tensions grow with China
President Joe Biden is set to host the President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos Jr amid tensions with China and recent military drills.
It is the first trip by a Filipino president in more than 10 years and comes at a time in which concerns have been raised about the harassment of Philippine vessels in the South China Sea by the Chinese Navy.
The US is set to gain access to four more bases on the islands amid increased attention in the region over Taiwan.
The two countries recently conducted drills, their largest ever, and will today set to hold their first joint fighter jet training in the Philippines since 1990.
China claims waters close to the islands are its own and has been chasing away navy and coast guard patrols, as well as fishing trawlers.
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The Philippines has filed more than 200 diplomatic protests against China since last year, at least 77 since President Marcos took office in June.
Four new US bases will be added to the islands (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Beijing should "desist" from "provocative and unsafe conduct" and to stop "intimidation of Philippine vessels as they undertake routine patrols within their exclusive economic zone."
President Marcos said ahead of the trip that he is "determined to forge an ever stronger relationship with the United States in a wide range of areas that not only address the concerns of our times but also those that are critical to advancing our core interests."
The Biden administration has shown its desire to influence the region and met Chinese President Xi Jinping for talks in November last year.
President Biden is also due to visit Australia and Japan later this month.
One official said President Marcos still desires to work closely with both Washington and Beijing (ROLEX DELA PENA/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)The White House hosted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for a state visit last week and the leaders discussed ways of deterring North Korea.
White House officials said the visit of President Marcos would be used to announce the transfer of three C-130 aircraft and coastal patrol vessels to the Philippines.
A new trade mission and educational programme are also expected to be among the announcements.
Pressure on the Philippine president came recently as the Chinese ambassador to the country, Huang Xilian, reportedly said that Taiwan's independence claims should be opposed for the sake of overseas Filipino workers - known as "OFWs."
The Philippines should oppose Taiwan's independence “if you care genuinely about the 150,000 OFWs”, Huang is reported to have said.
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Despite this, the Philippines still subscribes to China's 'One China' policy. Informal relations between self-governed Taiwan and the Philippines are maintained, however.
Taiwan, which brands itself the Republic of China (ROC), has remained self-ruled, but the Chinese Community Parry (CCP) views reunification with Taiwan as a key part of its Communist ideology and the country's identity.
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