US tells China that PH support is 'ironclad' | INQToday

A top United States official tells China that Washington's defense commitment to the Philippines is ironclad after a violent clash in the West Philippine Sea. According to the US State Department, Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell raised serious concerns about Chinese actions in a call with Executive Vice Foreign Minister Mao Zhao. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller says Capital reiterated the US commitments to the Philippines under the Mutual Defense treaty remain ironclad. Campbell also calls for peace and stability that I want straight in the wake of China's military drills around the self governing democracy following the inauguration of President Lai Chington and renewed US concerns about Chinese exports that support Russian defense industry. On June 17, China Coast Guard personnel wielding knives, sticks and an axe surrounded and boarded 3 Filipino Navy boats in the most serious of a number of escalating confrontations. China has been asserting claims in the strategic South China Sea. And separately is put pressure in Taiwan, which it considers part of its territory awaiting reunification. the US has a defense treaty with the Philippines that dates to 1951 that says Washington will come to its former colonies aid in case when an armed attack.