U.S.-Philippines alliance will transcend administrations

19/11/2024 19:02

        United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday the U.S. alliance with the Philippines would transcend changes in administrations, as he reiterated his support for the Southeast Asian nation.
        
        The Philippines will remain an important country for the United States for many years, Austin told a press conference during a visit to the Philippine military's Western Command on the island of Palawan next to the South China Sea.
        
        Both Austin and Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro expressed concerns over China's conduct in the South China Sea, with the Pentagon chief reiterating Washington's defence commitments to the Philippines under a 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.