Skepticism Grows Over U.S. Commitment to Defend Philippines in South China Sea

U.S. President Joe Biden is under is under mounting pressure from the Washington policy community over how to respond to the escalataing tensions in the South China Sea. Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP

The Biden administration is facing growing criticism over its commitment to defend the Philippines as confrontations with Chinese forces escalate in the South China Sea.

The U.S. is bound by its Mutual Defense Treaty to defend Manila against any armed attack. And even if China’s recent “aggressive behavior” has not constituted military action, some say Beijing has gone too far and Washington has failed to respond.

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest China-Africa news and analysis.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China-Africa relations.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in Africa and throughout the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

OR

Already a subscriber? Log in Click Here to Learn More
by Han Zhen

Most Read

1
Developing Countries’ Debt Servicing Costs to China Are Significant, but Nowhere Near as Much as Other Creditors
2 Chinese Military Fans Discuss Why Indonesia Bought Rafale Instead of J-10C
3
China, U.S. Ink Rare Earth Deal; More Trade Pacts Coming
4
Chinese-Moroccan Joint Venture Inaugurates EV Battery Parts Plant
5
Six Million Donkeys Slaughtered for Chinese Medicine: Charity
6
Rubio to Welcome Asian ‘Quad’ Back to Washington

You Might Like

Growing Concern in Asia That China-Philippines Stand-Off Could Escalate Into Full-Scale International Conflict

The steadily escalating confrontation between China and the Philippines over disputed maritime territories in the South China Sea is prompting new anxieties in Asia that the feud could trigger a much larger conflict ...

Marcos: Philippines Not Looking For Trouble With China, Vows to Defend Against Incursions

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. issued a conciliatory yet firm message to China that his country does not want to provoke a confrontation over disputed territories in the South China Sea, but he will ...

Philippines Digs in Heels in South China Sea While Also Cautioning Restraint

The Philippines appears to be employing a strategy of resolve and restraint in the South China Sea amid some of the most dangerous confrontations with China in recent memory. Manila said it will ...

Multilateral Support for the Philippines Could Alter Course of Conflict With Beijing in South China Sea

If conflict were to break out in the South China Sea, the Philippines faces a much larger and more sophisticated military in China, which now has the world’s biggest naval fleet. That has ...

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.

More about CGSP