Blinken reassures Philippine FM amid China’s recent moves in region

Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday reassured Philippine’s high diplomat in a telephone name that the U.S. stands with Southeast Asian nations after recent acts by China in the region, a report mentioned.

Reuters reported that Blinken instructed Teodoro Locsin, his Philippine counterpart, that the U.S. rejects Beijing’s claims to the South China Sea and solely acknowledges claims below worldwide regulation.

UN AMBASSADOR CRAFT CALLS FOR REFORM OF HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL, AS BIDEN LIKELY TO REJOIN 

China ratcheted up exercise in Taiwan airspace on Sunday by flying 15 fighter jets between mainland Taiwan and the Pratas Islands in the South China Sea, a report mentioned.

Reuters, which cited Taiwan’s Defense Ministry, reported that the jets included six J-10 fighters, two SU-30s and different navy planes. A day earlier, China flew eight bombers and 4 fighters into the identical airspace, the report mentioned.

HALEY SAYS BIDEN REJOINING UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL WOULD ‘FLY IN THE FACE’ OF RIGHTS PUSH

Blinken, mentioned in a affirmation listening to Tuesday there’s “no doubt” China poses the best risk of any nation to the U.S.  and the Trump administration was proper to take a harder stance towards the Asian energy. 

“President Trump was right in taking a tougher approach to China,” mentioned Blinken, who served as then-Vice President Biden’s nationwide safety advisor earlier than being elevated to deputy secretary of state below Barack Obama. “Not the way he went about it in a number of ways, but the basic principle was right.” 

Fox News’ Morgan Phillips contributed to this report