U.S. bolsters military ties with Japan and Philippines amid Chinese provocations

President Biden hosted the leaders of Japan and the Philippines on Thursday, sending a strong message of unity to Beijing. The administration says the network of alliances and partnerships in Asia is expanding in direct response to actions by China. Nick Schifirin discussed the developments with Zack Cooper, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

Geoff Bennett:

Today, President Biden hosted the leaders of Japan and the Philippines and sent a strong message of unity to Beijing.

Nick Schifrin has been following these developments and joins us now.

Nick Schifrin:

Geoff, the administration calls it the U.S.' greatest strength, a network of alliances and partnerships.

The U.S.' oldest ally in Asia is the Philippines. And, today, the relationship is expanding in direct response to actions by China.

With a camera and water cannon, the Chinese Coast Guard takes direct aim at a Philippine supply ship. For weeks, Beijing's boats have harassed and even bumped Philippine boats trying to resupply a Philippine ship purposely grounded two decades ago inside the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone.

The U.S. calls these actions unlawful and coercive and is recommitted to defending its treaty ally, including today at the White House.

Joe Biden , President of the United States: Any attack on Philippine aircraft, vessels or armed forces in the South China Sea would invoke our mutual defense treaty.

Nick Schifrin:

This was the first ever trilateral summit between the leaders of the U.S., Philippines and Japan.

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. :

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. , President of the Philippines: Today's summit is an opportunity to define the future that we want and how we intend to achieve it together.

Nick Schifrin:

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida:

Fumio Kishida, Japanese Prime Minister (through interpreter):

Japan, the U.S. and the Philippines are maritime nations connected by the Pacific Ocean and our natural partners.

Nick Schifrin:

This week, the three countries, along with Australia, conducted their first ever joint naval drills. And, yesterday, the U.S. and Japan announced their most significant military cooperation upgrade in decades.

It's an effort