During his first call as US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio reaffirmed the US's commitment to defending the Philippines against China's provocative actions in the South China Sea. Rubio criticized China's destabilizing conduct and emphasized adherence to international law. He highlighted that any armed attack in the Pacific region would activate mutual defense obligations under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty. Additionally, the Quad nations stressed the importance of a free Indo-Pacific, opposing unilateral actions that disrupt regional stability, thus reflecting heightened geopolitical concerns regarding China's influence in Southeast Asia.
Secretary Rubio conveyed that [China's] behavior undermines regional peace and stability and is inconsistent with international law, the State Department said in a statement.
Rubio also criticised Beijing's dangerous and destabilising actions in the South China Sea in the call on Wednesday with Manalo, which the US's top diplomat said violated international law.
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