Hegseth meets Philippines president to discuss China deterrence
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth recently met with Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. too discuss enhancing geopolitical security and strategies to deter Chinese aggression, particularly in the South China Sea. Hegseth emphasized the importance of collaboration between the two nations, advocating for a united front against threats posed by china. He highlighted the principle of “peace through strength” and stressed that the Philippines must firmly defend it’s interests in the region.The escalating tensions between the Philippines and China, including aggressive tactics from the Chinese navy, where acknowledged, reinforcing the need for a strong U.S. commitment to support the Philippines under their Mutual Defense Treaty. Marcos described Hegseth’s visit as a significant signal of both countries’ dedication to maintaining peace in the Indo-Pacific region.
Hegseth meets with Philippines president, discusses geopolitical strategies and deterrence against China
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth met with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the latter’s home country on Friday to discuss strategic enhancements to geopolitical security against China’s aggression and to protect universal navigation rights in the South China Sea for all countries.
Hegseth called for the countries to stand “shoulder to shoulder” in collaborative efforts against the Chinese, according to reports. He called to present a united front against Chinese threats and stressed the importance of deterrence.
“Peace through strength is a very real thing,” Hegseth emphasized.
Tensions between the Philippines and China have increased in recent years, specifically over passage through the South China Sea. China claims authority over the body of water and has used its navy to enforce control in the area, reported the Associated Press.
“Deterrence is necessary around the world, but specifically in this region, in your country, considering the threats from the communist Chinese and that friends need to stand shoulder-to-shoulder to deter conflict, to ensure that there’s free navigation,” said the secretary of defense. “Whether you call it the South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea, we recognize that your country has [to] stand very firm in that location and in defense of your nation.”
Hostile interactions and confrontations between the Philippine and Chinese forces have increased in recent years, with the communist country using high-powered water cannons and other aggressive military tactics against Philippine ships that ventured into the South China Sea, according to the Associated Press.
Hegseth acknowledged the challenges Marcos’s country faces with the Chinese and emphasized the commitment to their Asian ally, highlighting the “ironclad” commitment by the U.S. to protect the region and the “Mutual Defense Treaty” between the countries.
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Marcos categorized the secretary of defense’s visit to the country as sending a “very strong message of the commitment of both our countries to continue to work together to maintain the peace in the Indo-Pacific region, within the South China Sea.”
“We have always understood the principle that the greatest force for peace in this part of the world would be the United States,” Marcos said.
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