The US president will host his Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday amid concerns over harassment of Philippine ships by Chinese vessels in the South China Sea.
The visit comes after the United States and the Philippines last week wrapped up their biggest military exercises in history, and as the two air forces will conduct joint fighter pilot training for the first time since 1990 on Monday. Earlier this year, the Philippines agreed give the United States access to four other bases in the country, while Washington tries to stifle China’s aggressive actions toward Taiwan and other neighbors.
Meanwhile, China has angered the Philippines with its harassment of coast guard patrol boats and armed forces, and for scaring away fishing boats in waters off the Philippine coast but claimed by Beijing as its own.
Before traveling to Washington on Sunday, Marcos declared that he is “determined to forge an even stronger relationship with the United States in a wide range of areas, not only those that are about the concerns of our times, but also those that are critical to advance our fundamental interests”.
Monday’s meeting is the latest diplomatic gesture by the Biden administration with Pacific leaders, as the United States fears China’s growing military and economic aggressiveness and tries to contain North Korea’s nuclear program. It is the first official visit by a Philippine president to Washington in more than 10 years.
Biden hosted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol last week as the two leaders announced measures to deter North Korea from launching an attack on its neighbors. Biden is scheduled to travel to Japan and Australia in May.
