U.S. Issues Guidelines On How They Would Defend The Philippines From A South China Sea Attack

US, Philippines establish ground rules to counter China in South China Sea and Taiwan Strait © Provided by South China Morning Post  

Reuters: U.S. issues guidelines on defending Philippines from South China Sea attack 

MANILA (Reuters) - The United States has laid out in clear terms the extent of its defence treaty commitments to the Philippines, issuing new guidelines that refer specifically to attacks in the South China Sea, including on its coast guard. 

The six-page "bilateral defence guidelines" agreed in Washington on Wednesday follow a renewed push under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to update the Mutual Defense Treaty with the former colonial ruler, at a time of increased tension and maritime confrontation with China. 

The guidelines were a first since the treaty was signed in 1951 and follow scores of Philippine diplomatic protests in the past year over what it calls China's "aggressive" actions and threats against its coast guard.  

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 Update: US, Philippines establish ground rules to counter China in South China Sea and Taiwan Strait (SCMP)  

WNU Editor: The U.S. has to be careful. You do not want to be sucked into a major conflict where your national security interests are now at stake.

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