## US Ally Concerned about China‘s Threat in South China Sea
The Defense Chief of the Philippines has labeled China’s growing presence in the South China Sea as an “existential threat.” The Philippines emphasizes the importance of this issue as a matter of survival, denouncing any form of bullying by China in illegally claiming their territory.
China and the United States are engaged in a dispute over the South China Sea, an area abundant in natural resources. Beijing’s claim of jurisdiction over the region, including areas within the exclusive economic zones of several nations, has raised tensions.
According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, countries have rights to resources in their exclusive economic zones. Despite China’s rejection of an international court ruling, the Philippines stresses the need to defend their rights within the bounds of international law to prevent China from seizing these resources.
Recent clashes between Chinese Coast Guard vessels and Philippine Government ships in the South China Sea have heightened concerns, leading the President of the Philippines to warn against any actions resulting in harm to Filipino nationals. The President of the United States, Joe Biden, has reassured the Philippines of America’s unwavering commitment to their defense treaty.
In response to China’s activities, the Philippines has strengthened its military cooperation with the U.S., seeking to safeguard its sovereignty. Each nation is closely monitoring the situation to protect its interests in the region.