South China Sea: Biden-Marcos talks ‘may push Beijing to seek closer ties with Manila’

US and Philippine presidents ‘underscored their support for freedom of navigation and overflight’ in the disputed waterway

China isn’t expected to see meeting as a provocation, but analyst says it ‘might be more aggressive in making counter-offers’

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US President Joe Biden meets his Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jnr in New York on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Published: 8:31pm, 23 Sep 2022

Beijing is unlikely to see talks on the South China Sea between the US and Philippine leaders as a provocation, analysts say, but it may move to strengthen ties with Manila.

US President Joe Biden met his Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jnr in New York on Thursday, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. It was the first time the pair had met face-to-face since Marcos took power in June, and they spoke about issues including tensions in the disputed waterway, renewable energy and Covid-19.

“The leaders discussed the situation in the South China Sea and underscored their support for freedom of navigation and overflight and the peaceful resolution of disputes,” the White House said in a statement after the talks, reiterating Washington’s “ironclad commitment to the defence of the Philippines”.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr said the US’ role maintaining peace is “much appreciated by all the countries in the region”. Photo: AP

Marcos said: “The role of the United States in maintaining the peace in our region is something that is much appreciated by all the countries in the region and the Philippines especially.”

The remarks followed Marcos’ speech at the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, when he said: “When we are in crisis, we look to the United States.”

Brian Wong Yueshun, a geopolitics consultant and founder of the Oxford Political Review, said he did not expect Beijing to perceive the talks as a provocation.

“The initial pivoting of newly elected leaders in the Philippines towards Washington, in stance and tone, is not unprecedented,” Wong said.

He added that the Philippines had historically been firmly wedded, in security and military terms, to the US, its former coloniser.