Payam Javan: The United States and the Philippines have released a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The statement came in response to Beijing’s recent intimidation tactics against the self-governed island. President Joe Biden and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines also reiterated their dedication to upholding freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait.

During their White House meeting, the two presidents focused on strengthening the US-Philippines security alliance. Marcos became the first Philippine president to visit the US in over a decade, highlighting the importance of the United States as his country’s sole treaty ally in the Indo-Pacific region. The Philippines recently opened four new military outposts, including a naval station and an airfield, close to Taiwan for American forces.

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry praised the joint statement, highlighting the high degree of consensus among countries in the region on preserving cross-strait peace and stability. Under the 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty, the United States and the Philippines are bound as allies and must defend one another in case of an attack. On April 29, the United States notified Beijing that it would activate its mutual defence pact if there were any armed attacks against Philippine military forces, civilian boats, or aircraft.