Hegseth says US to boost ties with Philippines

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Hegseth Tells Philippines the Trump Administration Will Ramp Up Deterrence Against China Threat
Pete Hegseth blamed the previous Biden Administration for insufficient actions that emboldened aggressors like China.
Hegseth says US to boost ties with Philippines as deterrence against China: 'Peace through strength'
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said Friday that the U.S. intends to boost military ties with the Philippines to strengthen deterrence against Chinese aggression in the disputed South China Sea.
Pentagon Chief Hegseth Says 'Warrior' Japan Indispensable to Deter China
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Sunday that Japan was indispensable in tackling Chinese aggression by helping Washington establish a "credible" deterrence in the region, including across the Taiwan Strait.

South China Sea, Philippines

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China conducts military patrol in South China Sea, warns Philippines
China's military said it had conducted a patrol in the South China Sea on Friday, the day U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed Washington's commitment to Manila, which disputes some of Beijing's claims in the waterway.
China discovers massive oilfield in South China Sea, conducts test drilling
Daily production of 413 barrels of crude oil and 68,000 cubic meters of natural gas has been yielded after test drilling, a state news agency reported.
Can the Philippines’ become China’s ‘plus one’ amid South China Sea tensions?
The Philippines’ economic zones chief says Manila is being eyed as ‘the next preferred destination’ for China’s ‘plus-one’ strategy for firms dodging US tariffs.
US, Japan, Philippines stage navy drills in disputed South China Sea as a Chinese ship keeps watch
The United States, Japan and the Philippines have staged joint naval drills to boost crisis readiness off a disputed South ...
Closer ties among US allies may bring turmoil to South China Sea, Taiwan Strait: analysts
Warning comes after US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth visits Philippines and Japan with pledges to boost defence cooperation.
Hegseth Announces US Missile Plan Likely to Inflame China Tensions
The U.S. and its Philippine ally are also planning special forces training in the closest province to China-claimed Taiwan.
Philippines, US and Japan stage joint naval drills off disputed South China Sea shoal
The United States, Japan and the Philippines staged joint naval drills to boost crisis readiness Friday off a disputed South ...
Exclusive: Satellite images show fresh Chinese bomber deployment in South China Sea
It's Beijing's latest move to assert sovereignty over the hotly disputed atoll in the South China Sea, satellite images ...
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Philippine Defense Chief Calls for Stronger South China Sea Presence Ahead of SECDEF Hegseth Visit
Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilbert Teodoro on Monday laid out Manila’s plans to deter Chinese efforts in the ...
Satellite Photos Show Island Building in Contested South China Sea
Vietnam is following in the footsteps of rival Spratly Islands claimant China in building military-purposed infrastructure, ...
Hegseth Urges China Deterrence on Trip Clouded by Signal Uproar
Pete Hegseth pledged to deploy additional advanced capabilities to the Philippines amid threats from China as the Pentagon ...