US-Philippines Officials Discuss Concerns Over China’s Ships

US-Philippines Officials Discuss Concerns Over China’s Ships
Chinese vessels are moored at Whitsun Reef, South China Sea on March 27, 2021. National Task Force-West Philippine Sea via AP
|Updated:

ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT—Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday discussed with his Philippine counterpart China’s recent positioning of “militia vessels” near the Philippines in the South China Sea.

Austin spoke by phone with Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana while Austin was flying from Washington to Israel to begin an international trip.