With eye on China, Pentagon chief heads to Southeast Asia, including Philippines

FAIRBANKS, Alaska - US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will become the first member of President Joe Biden's cabinet to visit Southeast Asia this week, seeking to emphasize the importance Washington places on fortifying ties in the region while pushing back against China.

"You'll hear me talk a lot about partnerships and the value of partnerships," Austin told reporters en route to Alaska.In a keynote speech in Singapore on Tuesday and meetings in Vietnam and the Philippines, Austin will call out aggressive Chinese behavior in the South China Sea and stress the importance of keeping the wider region free and open.

"The administration does understand that this region is critical, so that's a big part of it: Just showing up," said Gregory Poling, a senior fellow for Southeast Asia at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies. One pillar of engagement that has been conspicuously lacking has been on the economic and trade side after Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, withdrew from the Trans Pacific Partnership trade pact in 2017.

The U.S. Navy has maintained a steady pattern of freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea and near Taiwan but these appear to have done little to discourage Beijing. It was still unclear "what's it's going to look like in terms of our budget, in terms of our force posture, in terms of our investments in diplomacy and infrastructure, really putting meat on the bone," he said.

Pakidampot na po yung demonyo sa pilipinas

Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

With eye on China, Pentagon chief heads to Southeast AsiaU.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will become the first member of President Joe Biden’s cabinet to visit Southeast Asia this week, seeking to emphasize the importance Washington places on fortifying ties in the region while pushing back against China.
Source: inquirerdotnet - 🏆 3. / 86 Read more »

Ensure mass actions are safe and peaceful, SONA protesters toldMANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Guillermo Eleazar on Sunday called on State of the Nation Address (Sona) protesters to stage their mass actions peacefully and with JEMendozaINQ General Eleazar, one of the best PNP General- I respect his capability and sincerity that he will ensure that peaceful demonstration are safe and people are protected.
Source: inquirerdotnet - 🏆 3. / 86 Read more »

Bemedalled general replaces retired Parlade in SolcomArmed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. retired from military service...
Source: inquirerdotnet - 🏆 3. / 86 Read more »

SONA 2021: The economy under President Rodrigo DuterteOnce among Southeast Asia's vibrant economies, the Philippines went into recession — the sharpest rate of economic decline so far in its record — at the penultimate year of the Duterte administration brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. CNN Philippines takes a look at the economy in the past five years and what lies ahead. DutertePalpak From Asia's Rising Tiger to Asia's Starving Hyena. So with almost the rest of the world brought about by the pandemic. We are blessed to have this President during this unprecedented times. Many other countries performed a lot worse.
Source: CNN Philippines - 🏆 13. / 63 Read more »

PSC chief on PH team’s heartbreaking setbacks in Olympics: It happens to the best of themCEBU CIY, Philippines----- The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William "Butch" Ramirez, who is in Tokyo, Japan, said on Sunday, July 25, that losing happens even to the best
Source: cebudailynews - 🏆 8. / 71 Read more »

UP Law’s first magna cum laude in over a decade stays groundedICYMI: Full-time working student Danica Mae Godornes graduated from the UP College of Law both as batch valedictorian and magna cum laude—the first in over a decade. But Godornes, who isn’t one to tout her laurels, held no fanfare to herald her feat.
Source: inquirerdotnet - 🏆 3. / 86 Read more »