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Austin said the most important thing was to keep the bilateral dialogue going.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says that China is increasing its foothold in the contested South China Sea.
Japan will also provide 600 million yen ($4 million) worth of coastal surveillance radar to the Philippines amid tensions in the South China Sea.
There were no reports of injuries but the Philippines said the Chinese vessels’ actions imperiled the safety of the crew aboard the its ships.
Philippine Coast Guard took ‘decisive action’ upon orders of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The country is exploring legal options against China, including the possible filing of complaints before an international court.
A U.S. satellite imagery showed that at least 35 Chinese fishing and militia vessels continued operating within Iroquois Reef on Sept. 17.
The Philippine Navy commissioned two Cyclone-class patrol ships donated by the United States to enhance its capacity amid China tensions.
North Korea has notified Japan of its intention to launch a satellite between Aug. 24 and Aug. 31, which could affect three “danger areas,” including the East Philippines.
The Philippines has denied making any “promise” with China to remove a World War II-era warship—which Manila uses as a military outpost to assert its sovereignty—from a disputed shoal in the South China Sea.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the Philippine leader that the European Union is ready to boost cooperation with the Philippines in maritime security amid tensions with China in the disputed South China Sea.
