As tensions escalate between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos has reached out to U.S. President Donald Trump for assistance.
On July 23, President Marcos discussed security cooperation with President Trump during a phone call, according to a statement from the Philippine presidential office reported by Sankei on July 24. Marcos is said to have requested that the South China Sea issue be addressed as a key agenda item at the upcoming U.S.-China summit expected to take place in September.
In response, President Trump reportedly promised to convey the Philippines' concerns directly to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Recent physical confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the South China Sea have heightened tensions in the region. This has led the Philippines to seek assistance from the U.S. Notably, on July 20, a collision occurred near the Second Thomas Shoal, resulting in injuries on the Philippine side. Both countries have blamed each other for the incident.
While the territorial disputes over areas like Scarborough Shoal are primarily issues between China and the Philippines, U.S. involvement could escalate the situation into a U.S.-China conflict. There are expectations that China, which seeks to maintain stable relations with the U.S., may take steps to manage its conflict with the Philippines.
Meanwhile, on July 22, Wang Yi, a member of the Chinese Communist Party's Politburo and Foreign Minister, met with Philippine Foreign Secretary Teresa Lazaro in Manila. This marked the first foreign ministerial meeting between China and the Philippines in two years. During the meeting, both sides exchanged sharp criticisms but also conveyed the need to manage tensions between the two nations.
Wang stated, "It is an objective fact that there are territorial and maritime boundary disputes between China and the Philippines," adding, "The current relationship between China and the Philippines is at a crossroads, and the direction it takes depends on the Philippines' correct and rational choices." Lazaro emphasized that China should remove structures from the disputed area of Scarborough Shoal.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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