(Reuters) -New U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned China’s “dangerous and destabilizing actions in the South China Sea” along with his Philippine counterpart on Wednesday and underscored the “ironclad” U.S. protection dedication to Manila.

“Secretary Rubio conveyed that (China’s) behavior undermines regional peace and stability and is inconsistent with international law,” the U.S. State Division stated in an announcement on the decision with International Minister Enrique Manalo.

The Philippines has been embroiled in wrangles at sea with China prior to now two years and the 2 international locations have confronted off frequently round disputed options within the South China Sea that fall inside Manila’s unique financial zone.

Rubio’s name got here after he hosted counterparts from Australia, India and Japan within the China-focused “Quad” discussion board on Tuesday, the day after President Donald Trump returned to the White Home. The 4 recommitted to working collectively.

Quad members and the Philippines share considerations about China’s rising energy and analysts stated Tuesday’s assembly was designed to sign continuity within the Indo-Pacific and that countering Beijing can be a prime precedence for Trump.

Within the name with Manalo, Rubio “underscored the United States’ ironclad commitments to the Philippines” beneath their Mutual Protection Treaty and mentioned methods to advance safety cooperation, develop financial ties and deepen regional cooperation, the assertion stated.

China’s overseas ministry stated its actions within the waters have been “reasonable, lawful and beyond reproach”.

Talking at a daily press convention, ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated the USA was “not a party” to the South China Sea dispute, and had “no right to intervene” in maritime points between China and the Philippines.

“Military cooperation between the U.S. and the Philippines should not undermine China’s sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, nor should it be used to endorse the illegal claims of the Philippines,” Mao stated.

The Philippines, a U.S. defence treaty ally, is among the many first international locations to interact with the brand new U.S. administration to debate vital safety issues, Manila’s defence division stated in an announcement.

Its protection secretary Gilberto Teodoro and U.S. Nationwide Safety Adviser Mike Waltz met on the White Home on Thursday to reaffirm the enduring alliance between their two international locations.

Simply forward of Trump’s inauguration, the Philippines and the USA carried out their fifth set of joint maritime workouts within the South China Sea since launching the joint actions in 2023.

Safety engagements between the allies have soared beneath Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has moved nearer to Washington and allowed the growth of navy bases that American forces can entry, together with services going through the democratically-governed island of Taiwan, which China claims as its personal.

Visiting the Philippines final week, Japanese International Minister Takeshi Iwaya stated a trilateral initiative to spice up cooperation launched by Japan, the U.S. and the Philippines at a summit final yr can be strengthened when the brand new U.S. administration took over in Washington.