Philippines says decision to strengthen ties with Japan, US a 'sovereign choice'
MANILA: The Philippines' decision to ramp up ties with Japan and the United States at a recent summit was a "sovereign choice" for the country, its foreign ministry said on Thursday in response to China's comments opposing the trilateral meeting. US President Joe Biden hosted Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington last week where the three leaders jointly expressed their "serious concerns" over China's actions in the South China Sea.