Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday told reporters he was "as concerned as you could possibly be," about China's activities in the South China Sea.
Marcos was responding to a reporters question as he entered Vice President Kamala Harris' residence for brunch, along with U.S. second gentlemen Doug Emhoff and Philippines first lady Liza Araneta Marcos.
On Monday, President Joe Biden reiterated U.S. commitment to the Philippines' security and noted the “deep friendship” of the two nations as he hosted Marcos for White House talks.
Marcos' visit to Washington comes after the U.S. and the Philippines last week completed their largest war drills ever and as the two countries' air forces on Monday will hold their first joint fighter jet training in the Philippines since 1990. The Philippines this year agreed to give the U.S. access to four more bases on the islands as the U.S. looks to deter China’s increasingly aggressive actions toward Taiwan and in the disputed South China Sea.
Meanwhile, China has angered the Philippines by repeatedly harassing its navy and coast guard patrols and chasing away fishermen in waters that are close to Philippine shores but that Beijing claims as its own.
Monday's Oval Office meeting is the latest high-level diplomacy with Pacific leaders by Biden as his administration contends with increased military and economic assertiveness by China and worries about North Korea's nuclear program. Marcos’ official visit to Washington is the first by a Philippine president in more than 10 years.
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