Biden Hosts Summit with Leaders of Japan and Philippines as a Warning to China

President Biden, alongside the leaders of Japan and the Philippines, made history on Thursday by convening a first-ever joint meeting aimed at strengthening security and economic alliances in the Indo-Pacific region as a countermeasure to Chinese aggression.

During the meeting at the White House, Mr. Biden emphasized the importance of deepening maritime and security ties with Japan and the Philippines, asserting that the United States’ defense commitments to both countries are ironclad. The goal of the alliance is to create a shield against China’s coercive tactics in the South China Sea.

The diplomatic effort in Southeast Asia is part of a larger strategy by like-minded nations to push back against China’s activities in trade, technology, and military aggression. The United States, Japan, and the Philippines are forming smaller, overlapping partnerships to ensure they can withstand Chinese pressure.

While the leaders did not explicitly mention China by name, they emphasized the necessity of unity and multilayered cooperation to address regional challenges. The meeting highlighted the shared values of democracy, good governance, and the rule of law among the three countries.

The alliance also aims to address security concerns in the South China Sea, where Chinese coast guard ships have been engaging in coercive and unlawful tactics against Philippine vessels. The leaders demonstrated stronger military and diplomatic unity, with plans for joint naval drills in the region in the coming months.

Overall, the meeting underscored the commitment of the United States, Japan, and the Philippines to forge a better peace for all and to strengthen their partnerships in the face of growing Chinese assertiveness in the region.