Manila 6 August : US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday assured Philippine officials that Washington determined to reduce tensions in the Taiwan Strait to keep the region safe and guarantee unimpeded access to the main waterway.In a single-day trip to Manila, Blinken met Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo, and other government officials, according to the DPA news agency.
He was also snubbed through a vaccination site for Covid-19.
The visit is scheduled to take place in the midst of China’s ongoing live-fire drills in the wake of US Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan that has raised security concerns throughout the world.
“We always remain with the partners we have,” Blinken told reporters following his meetings with Marcos Jr and Manalo.”It’s crucial to stress this because of the events going on in the northern part of here in the Taiwan Strait.”
“Since China launched nearly a dozen ballistic missiles at Taiwan two days ago we’ve heard from our partners and allies across the region that are extremely concerned about the dangerous and destabilizing moves,” he said.
Blinken stated that Washington will keep the lines of communication open with Beijing to prevent any miscommunication and confusion, while working with regional organizations and partners to ensure peace and stability.
“Our allies and partners throughout the region have informed us, in unambiguous terms, that they are seeking accountable leadership now,” he said.
“So let me be crystal clear”The US does not believe it’s in the interests of Taiwan as a whole, the region, or our national security to intensify the situation.”
He advised Beijing to “focus on .the fact that for the past 40 years, we’ve handled this issue well and have achieved it in an approach that has avoided any conflicts”.
“I believe that’s the expectation that all countries .across the region and throughout the globe are under,” he added.”They definitely expect us as well as China and the US and China to handle our differences in a responsible manner and that’s exactly what we’re going to achieve.”
In his conversation with Marcos Jr, Blinken reiterated Washington’s support for the bilateral defence agreement .He also informed President Trump that the US is eager to work with his administration to “deepen” the relationship with the Philippines.
“Our relationship is truly extraordinary because it’s rooted in friendship,” he said.”It’s also forged in alliances and is bolstered due to the fact that it’s also an alliance.”
“The Alliance is solid and I am convinced that we’ll be (be) more powerful.We’re committed and committed to the mutual defense treaty.We’re determined to work with you to tackle common issues,” he added.
Marcos Jr said recent regional and global tensions underscored the significance of relations between Manila and Washington.
“I hope that we can continue to improve our relationship in the of of the many changes we have witnessed and the changes in our bilateral relations with the US,” he said.
Marcos Jr said he saw the 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty, which obliges both the US and Philippines to help each other in the case of foreign aggression, and to be “in continuous evolution”.
“We are no longer able to separate one aspect of our relationships from the others,” he added.
“We have become too closely connected due to of our special relationship with the USand the Philippines and the common history we have in common.”
