(Honolu Mountain Comprehensive) U.S. Defense Minister Austin criticized the Chinese Maritime Police Ship to attack the Philippine Coast Guard Ship in a water cannon, causing damage and injury of personnel. It is an "irresponsible behavior" that ignores international law.
The National Defense Minister of the United States, the Philippines, Japan, and Australia met in Hawaii on Thursday (May 2) to discuss the increasingly strong China.
Austin reiterated at the joint press conference after the meeting that the United States will continue to support the Philippines in accordance with the provisions of the United States and the Philippines' joint defense treaty.
According to the common defense treaty signed by the Philippines in 1951, the allies are obliged to help to defend any party.
Austin said: "We have stated to everyone including China that the behavior of placing the Philippine crew in danger ... It is an irresponsible behavior that causes sailors to be injured and property is damaged."
The Philippine Minister of Defense Torodo declined to guess how Manila would use the United States and Philippines to jointly defense the treaty. He said it was a "political decision."
He added: "We need to safeguard our rights, but to ensure the safe way of every member of the Philippine armed forces."
The Philippine Coast Guard said that the Philippines two boats on Tuesday (April 30) on the way to Skobel Shaki (Huangyan Island), HNA, South China, was attacked by a Chinese maritime police ship with a water cannon.damage.China has urged the Philippines to stop provocativeness and not to challenge China's determination to maintain sovereignty.
Japanese Defense Minister Muhara Kan said on Thursday that the four -nation defense ministers united and "resolutely opposed any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo of the South China Sea, or any action to exacerbate regional tensions."
The United States, Philippines, Japan and Australia are another partnership set up by the United States to compete in China. Officials in the US Department of Defense privately said that the four countries were "Squad".Others include the US -Japan -India -Australian Sifang Security Dialogue (QUAD) and AUKUS.
A U.S. officials who are unwilling to be named said that the purpose of Squad is to combat coercion and aggression around Asia and enhance the mutual operation of the military's defense capabilities, so that they can cooperate more effectively when conflicting.
Austin also announced that the United States and Philippine Japan and Australia are considering starting more maritime military exercises and providing more security assistance to the Philippines.
U.S.-Philippine Japan and Australia held The first co -sea exercise .
