China unfazed by Phl-US Mutual Defense Treaty

The Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the United States will not affect China's position on the South China Sea issue, the Chinese embassy in Manila said in a statement yesterday.

- MICHAEL PUNONGBAYAN

"The US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty will not move us a bit from our will and resolve," the Chinese embassy said.

China issued the statement in response to fresh assurances made by US President Joe Biden that any attack on a Philippine aircraft, vessel or armed forces in the South China Sea will invoke the treaty.

"The US is not a party to the South China Sea issue and is not in the position of interfering in issues between China and the Philippines," the embassy stated.