South China Sea: Biden says US will defend the Philippines if China attacks

[Social Media]

 

US President Joe Biden has warned China that the US will defend the Philippines in case of any attack in the disputed South China Sea.

The comments come days after two collisions between Filipino and Chinese vessels in the contested waters.

Mr Biden reiterated his "ironclad" defence commitment to the Philippines.

Manila has contested Chinese claims to the waters, cutting floating barriers and inviting media to film what it calls Beijing's dangerous moves at sea.

Mr Biden's statement on the South China Sea on Wednesday was his strongest since tensions between Beijing and Manila heated up in recent months.

"I want to be clear — I want to be very clear: The United States' defence commitment to the Philippines is ironclad. The United States defence agreement with the Philippines is ironclad," he said.

 

Signed in 1951, the Mutual Defense Treaty binds the US and the Philippines, its former colony, into defending each other in the event of an armed attack.

"Any attack on the Filipino aircraft, vessels, or armed forces will invoke our Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines," he added in his speech an the White House on Wednesday, as he welcomed Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

 

• Why the Philippines and China are on a collision course
• Cat-and-mouse chase with China in hotly contested sea
• What is the South China Sea dispute?

 

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the US had "no right to get involved in a problem between China and the Philippines".

Should the US defend the Philippines, its actions "must not hurt China's sovereignty and maritime interests in the South China Sea", she told reporters in response to a question on the statement.

 

FULL STORY

 

[Tug]

That’s what real presidents do stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies he makes me proud to be an American 

[2baht]

Never bow to the Emperor! (Xi)

[JonnyF]

Joe's going to be busy.

 

Ukraine, Israel and now Philippines. 

 

Let's hope they don't bail as soon as something more important comes up this time.

 

[sirineou]

What else can he say?

" No you guys are on your own" 

China is awake and will not be denied the same monroe  doctrine the US lives by.

It is as simple as that. 

[FritsSikkink]

3 hours ago, Tug said:

That’s what real presidents do stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies he makes me proud to be an American 

Just another oil war

[JonnyF]

1 hour ago, sirineou said:

What else can he say?

" No you guys are on your own" 

China is awake and will not be denied the same monroe  doctrine the US lives by.

It is as simple as that. 

 

Don't worry, he's only making enemies of Russia, China and most of the Muslim world.

 

No way this can backfire. 😄

[Chomper Higgot]

8 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Don't worry, he's only making enemies of Russia, China and most of the Muslim world.

 

No way this can backfire. 😄

not a Putin lickspittle, not in the pocket of the Chinese, the Saudis or any other Middle Easter dictatorship that has money to bung his family.

[sirineou]

30 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Don't worry, he's only making enemies of Russia, China and most of the Muslim world.

 

No way this can backfire. 😄

What can go wrong with that 

[heybruce]

16 hours ago, sirineou said:

What else can he say?

" No you guys are on your own" 

China is awake and will not be denied the same monroe  doctrine the US lives by.

It is as simple as that. 

Remind me:  When was the Monroe Doctrine used to claim vast areas of other countries territorial waters?

[Skipalongcassidy]

Joe's policies remind me of what the police have become now in most of the world... reactionary after the fact and when seconds count, they are minutes away.

[thaibeachlovers]

The US ( and this is bigger than an individual president or party ) needs to absolutely support the Philippines ( AND Taiwan ), or China has the green light to take the entire Pacific IMO.

 

If they can't stop China in the Philippines, where can they stop them?

 

I have no doubt that China is the biggest threat in the world to free nations at this time, but they are so dominant in selling cheap stuff to the west that many western countries have turned a blind eye to their military build up.

Edited October 28, 2023 by thaibeachlovers

[Chomper Higgot]

2 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

The US ( and this is bigger than an individual president or party ) needs to absolutely support the Philippines ( AND Taiwan ), or China has the green light to take the entire Pacific IMO.

 

If they can't stop China in the Philippines, where can they stop them?

 

I have no doubt that China is the biggest threat in the world to free nations at this time, but they are so dominant in selling cheap stuff to the west that many western countries have turned a blind eye to their military build up.

Nice to agree now and again.

[tonbridgebrit]

On 10/27/2023 at 7:00 AM, JonnyF said:

 

Don't worry, he's only making enemies of Russia, China and most of the Muslim world.

 

No way this can backfire. 😄

What kind of attitude have you got ?
So, Biden is carrying out America's foreign policy, and people like you want to ridicule the Biden government. And if Trump and the Republicans were in charge, you'd be cheering on the anti-China and anti-Muslim stance.

I'ill say what my view is. Whether it is the Democrats or the Republicans in the White House, no American soldiers should risk their lives fighting against Russia, Islam, or China, in the present situations.  Yes, NATO soldiers should fight, when NATO countries are being invaded.

Ukraine is not in NATO, hence, the present situation of no NATO soldiers in Ukraine is the correct policy.
And the Philippines are not in NATO, hence, I don't think it's right for American/NATO soldiers to risk their lives, fighting a war against China.

[Chomper Higgot]

26 minutes ago, tonbridgebrit said:

What kind of attitude have you got ?
So, Biden is carrying out America's foreign policy, and people like you want to ridicule the Biden government. And if Trump and the Republicans were in charge, you'd be cheering on the anti-China and anti-Muslim stance.

I'ill say what my view is. Whether it is the Democrats or the Republicans in the White House, no American soldiers should risk their lives fighting against Russia, Islam, or China, in the present situations.  Yes, NATO soldiers should fight, when NATO countries are being invaded.

Ukraine is not in NATO, hence, the present situation of no NATO soldiers in Ukraine is the correct policy.
And the Philippines are not in NATO, hence, I don't think it's right for American/NATO soldiers to risk their lives, fighting a war against China.

Fault in your argument.

 

 

US strategic imperatives are not constrained outwith NATO by membership of NATO.

 

US strategic imperatives in and around the Philippines stand separate to those in and around NATO.

[Denim]

12 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

The US ( and this is bigger than an individual president or party ) needs to absolutely support the Philippines ( AND Taiwan ), or China has the green light to take the entire Pacific IMO.

 

If they can't stop China in the Philippines, where can they stop them?

 

I have no doubt that China is the biggest threat in the world to free nations at this time, but they are so dominant in selling cheap stuff to the west that many western countries have turned a blind eye to their military build up.

 

Given the way things have been going in Ukraine  and Gaza , Taiwan should feel that the threat from China is diminishing rather than increasing.

 

If powerful countries with land borders to weaker countries they want to attack are not finding things a cake walk , then surely China must realize  that an amphibious assault , across a very wide straight , against an entrenched enemy that has had many years to work on its defenses ,must be a certain recipe for disaster.

 

 

 

Edited October 28, 2023 by Denim
Spelling

[Chomper Higgot]

54 minutes ago, Denim said:

 

Given the way things have been going in Ukraine  and Gaza , Taiwan should feel that the threat from China is diminishing rather than increasing.

 

If powerful countries with land borders to weaker countries they want to attack are not finding things a cake walk , then surely China must realize  that an amphibious assault , across a very wide straight , against an entrenched enemy that has had many years to work on its defenses ,must be a certain recipe for disaster.

 

 

 

There is an historical example to which we may refer, Suez.

 

The failure of the UK at Suez exposed the paper tiger the UK had become, with devastating consequences for what was left of British Imperial power, or indeed international influence that no amount of sepia tinted nostalgia will ever fix.

 

Actually there are at least two historical examples if we include the betrayal at Singapore, but it’s a painful point so let’s not labour it lest we upset the Brit critics of the international dominance the US inherited when the UK gave it up. 

 

[tonbridgebrit]

8 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Fault in your argument.

 

 

US strategic imperatives are not constrained outwith NATO by membership of NATO.

 

US strategic imperatives in and around the Philippines stand separate to those in and around NATO.

Hello Chomper. I don't actually have a problem with most of your comments.   🙂

I'm trying to say this. NATO is not sending it's soldiers or combat jets to fight Russia, in the Ukraine war. Now, this is something that we all agree on, is that this is a good thing. None of us on ThaiVisa is reckoning that sending soldiers and/or combat jets to fight Russia is a good thing.
Now, notice how when we're talking about China's possible attack on Taiwan or the Philippines, oh, lots of people reckon it IS a good idea to send American/NATO soldiers and/or combat jets to fight China.

Everybody knows it will be disastrous for American warships to be in the Black Sea, firing missiles at the Russians in Ukraine and Russia. But some people do reckon that it's a good idea to have American warships in the South China Sea, firing missiles at China.

Why the inconsistency ?   🙂

[thaibeachlovers]

9 hours ago, tonbridgebrit said:

Ukraine is not in NATO, hence, the present situation of no NATO soldiers in Ukraine is the correct policy.
And the Philippines are not in NATO, hence, I don't think it's right for American/NATO soldiers to risk their lives, fighting a war against China.

NATO would ( should ) not be involved in a Pacific war, but the US probably has treaties with the Philippines that oblige it to assist.

The US is not only involved in NATO.

[thaibeachlovers]

6 hours ago, Denim said:

 

Given the way things have been going in Ukraine  and Gaza , Taiwan should feel that the threat from China is diminishing rather than increasing.

 

If powerful countries with land borders to weaker countries they want to attack are not finding things a cake walk , then surely China must realize  that an amphibious assault , across a very wide straight , against an entrenched enemy that has had many years to work on its defenses ,must be a certain recipe for disaster.

 

 

 

I'd like to agree, but in the event that the Chinese government ( Xi ) feels threatened from within China, the response ( see Thatcher and the Falklands ) might be to start a war somewhere to "unite" the country.

[Denim]

3 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I'd like to agree, but in the event that the Chinese government ( Xi ) feels threatened from within China, the response ( see Thatcher and the Falklands ) might be to start a war somewhere to "unite" the country.

I don't  think it would rally the country behind the CCP since it would be an unnecessary act of aggression rather than anything to do with defending China.

 

Sanctions against Russia have not worked well because Russias chief exports are its natural resources. These are controlled  by a few oligarchs. 

 

China is different.  It's chief exports are manufactured goods. If there were sanctions against China it would really hurt the millions of manufacturers that produce these goods and there would be a huge resentment against the CCP which could easily snowball and topple Xi.

[Danderman123]

On 10/27/2023 at 11:31 AM, JonnyF said:

Joe's going to be busy.

 

Ukraine, Israel and now Philippines. 

 

Let's hope they don't bail as soon as something more important comes up this time.

 

Remember, it was your man Trump who decided to bug out of Afghanistan - and release 5,000 Taliban from prison.

[fondue zoo]

14 hours ago, Denim said:

 

Given the way things have been going in Ukraine  and Gaza , Taiwan should feel that the threat from China is diminishing rather than increasing.

 

If powerful countries with land borders to weaker countries they want to attack are not finding things a cake walk , then surely China must realize  that an amphibious assault , across a very wide straight , against an entrenched enemy that has had many years to work on its defenses ,must be a certain recipe for disaster.

 

 

 

 

Just curious, how are they viewed logistically speaking, their ability to move and deploy troops en masse, all the materiel of war, that kind of thing?

...assuming they intend to make a move off continent.

 

[transam]

2 minutes ago, fondue zoo said:

 

Just curious, how are they viewed logistically speaking, their ability to move and deploy troops en masse, all the materiel of war, that kind of thing?

...assuming they intend to make a move off continent.

 

You could email the Pentagon............

[fondue zoo]

1 minute ago, transam said:

You could email the Pentagon............

 

They never reply...  too busy with the ufos at the moment  

 

Anyway, I was -hoping- for a dozen angry and or condescending responses laden with barely veiled racist overtones.

 

 

[Denim]

3 hours ago, fondue zoo said:

 

Just curious, how are they viewed logistically speaking, their ability to move and deploy troops en masse, all the materiel of war, that kind of thing?

...assuming they intend to make a move off continent.

 

That's a few hours Googling to get a general picture.

 

But even though they now have the world's biggest navy , the terrain of Taiwan favours defense with rugged mountains dividing the west coast from the east. In addition there are not too many beaches available to anyone making a seaborne assault. Assault by air would take large numbers of airborne troops whose aircraft would be very vulnerable to Taiwans anti aircraft defense.

 

The Taiwanese love the liberty they enjoy compared to the Chinese mainlanders under the thumb of the CCP. They will fight hard to retain it.

 

On paper at least it looks like a foolhardy gamble.

[Tug]

10 hours ago, Denim said:

That's a few hours Googling to get a general picture.

 

But even though they now have the world's biggest navy , the terrain of Taiwan favours defense with rugged mountains dividing the west coast from the east. In addition there are not too many beaches available to anyone making a seaborne assault. Assault by air would take large numbers of airborne troops whose aircraft would be very vulnerable to Taiwans anti aircraft defense.

 

The Taiwanese love the liberty they enjoy compared to the Chinese mainlanders under the thumb of the CCP. They will fight hard to retain it.

 

On paper at least it looks like a foolhardy gamble.

I quite agree I’m sure the world’s intelligence agencies are watching for the logistics nessary to attempt an invasion of Taiwan the ships gathering supply’s troops ect it would be a dead giveaway as to if they are serious about it.not to mention the loss of western markets to sell their goods to I don’t think it’s going to happen doesn’t make sense 

[thaibeachlovers]

18 hours ago, Danderman123 said:

Remember, it was your man Trump who decided to bug out of Afghanistan - and release 5,000 Taliban from prison.

Trump wasn't in charge when the exit fiasco happened. That belongs completely to the man in charge at the time.

[heybruce]

3 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Trump wasn't in charge when the exit fiasco happened. That belongs completely to the man in charge at the time.

Most Presidents honor the agreements made by their predecessors.  Trump is the only exception I know of to that rule, failing to honor the Paris Climate Treaty or the Iran Nuclear Deal.  Not only did he damage the environment and destabilize the Middle East with his idiocy, he did long term damage to trust in the US as a partner.

[heybruce]

On 10/27/2023 at 9:57 PM, thaibeachlovers said:

The US ( and this is bigger than an individual president or party ) needs to absolutely support the Philippines ( AND Taiwan ), or China has the green light to take the entire Pacific IMO.

 

If they can't stop China in the Philippines, where can they stop them?

 

I have no doubt that China is the biggest threat in the world to free nations at this time, but they are so dominant in selling cheap stuff to the west that many western countries have turned a blind eye to their military build up.

You think the US should support allies in opposing Chinese takeover of their territorial waters, but you don't think the US should support allies in opposing Russian takeover of their land.  Interesting.