Philippines President Arrives in Washington To Meet Joe Biden Amid Growing Tensions with China

President Marcos is set to urge Biden to protect Philippines
China reportedly harassed Philippines' navy and coast guard patrols
The Philippines and the US are slated to address the security situation and other initiatives

As China flexes its muscle on its doorstep in the South China Sea, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to urge President Joe Biden on US obligations to safeguard the island country and strengthen economic relationships.

Marcos has been asked to bilateral discussions by the White House to reaffirm Washington's "ironclad commitment" to the Philippines, but he will ask for specifics.

Biden-Marcos Meeting

He stated in a radio interview days before the trip that the Mutual Defense Treaty "has to alter according to the changes in the circumstances we are confronting in the South China Sea, Taiwan, and North Korea," The Washington Times reported.

The Philippines gave the United States access to new military outposts. Recently, the countries held their largest-ever combined military drills, even shooting at a dummy enemy ship in the South China Sea.

The two presidents will address "regional problems and collaborate on measures to maintain international law and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific," in addition to sustainable energy, climate change, and human rights.

The summit comes after the United States and the Philippines conducted their largest war rehearsals last week in Filipino seas near the South China Sea. Per The Hill, the two countries will conduct their first combined fighter aircraft training in the Philippines since 1990 on Monday.

Amid increased US-China tensions and pressure over Taiwan, the democratically ruled island Beijing claims as its own, the US has moved to enhance ties with the Philippines and extend its presence in the area.

China has also increased its military display, conducting large-scale maneuvers surrounding Taiwan. In a Saturday statement, the US State Department also stated that it stands with the Philippines in the face of China's "continued infringement on freedom of navigation in the South China Sea," accusing Beijing forces of "harassment and intimidation of Philippine vessels as they conduct routine patrols within their exclusive economic zone."

Marcos stated ahead of the meeting with Biden that he was "determined to forge an ever stronger relationship with the United States in a wide range of areas that not only address the concerns of our times, but also those that are critical to advancing our core interests."

Meanwhile, China has irritated the Philippines by harassing its navy and coast guard patrols and chasing away fishermen in waters close to Philippine shores but claimed by Beijing.

US-China Tensions

The meeting in the White Office on Monday is Biden's latest high-level diplomacy with Pacific leaders as his government deals with China's rising military and economic aggressiveness and concerns about North Korea's nuclear development. Marcos' journey to Washington is the first by a Philippine president in over a decade.

As part of Marcos' four-day visit to Washington, the two sides are slated to address the security situation and announce new economic, education, climate, and other initiatives, according to a senior administration official, as per ABC News.

According to the individual, who spoke anonymously to discuss the upcoming visit, Biden administration officials aim to recreate "habits of alliance building" with the Philippines since portions of the historically contentious relationship have "atrophied" over the years.

The increased Chinese harassment of vessels in the South China Sea has given the visit a new significance. On April 23, journalists from the Associated Press and other news organizations were onboard the Philippine Coast Guard's BRP Malapascua near Second Thomas Shoal when a Chinese coast guard ship barred the Filipino patrol vessel from entering the disputed shoal. Since last year, the Philippines has lodged over 200 diplomatic objections against China, including at least 77 since Marcos assumed office in June.

According to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, the incidents are a "stark reminder" of Chinese "harassment and intimidation of Filipino boats while they conduct normal patrols within their exclusive economic zone."

When Marcos took office, close US-Philippine relations were not given. The late Philippines strongman's son and namesake appeared set on following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, who sought deeper relations with China.

Before Marcos took office last year, Kurt Campbell, the White House National Security Council's coordinator for Indo-Pacific affairs, acknowledged that "historical considerations" could pose "challenges" to the relationship with Marcos Jr.

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